Environmental Audit Committee report: costing carbon in construction

Myself and industry colleagues have been busy developing the LETI Embodied Carbon Primer, the LETI Climate Emergency Design Guide (both 2020), the Architects Declare Practice Guide (2021), ACAN’s Regulate Embodied Carbon report and the UKGBC’s Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap (2021). So it is fantastic to see these documents and many more recommendations made by the built environment sector endorsed by the Environmental Audit Committee – a cross-party group – in this report.

A range of industry experts were invited to give evidence directly to the Committee, including Louisa Bowles on behalf of LETI, Dr Joe Jack Williams, Dr Alice Moncaster, Jane Anderson and so many more, while the Committee were advised by carbon-expert Simon Sturgis. dRMM are proud to have been involved in developing evidence statements and to have played a very small part alongside so many of our peers – truly a collective effort. It is very clear from the breadth and calibre of respondents that there is real consensus that built environment professionals already have the knowledge and tools to be able to do what is necessary for the planet.

The EAC deem this to be the ‘single most significant policy the government could introduce’ and ‘must set out plans this year to make this a reality’. While some industry naysayers may still say this is all too much, too soon, I would reply ‘you’re talking nonsense, catch-up’. So much has been already developed in readiness towards Whole Life Carbon regulation by industry – including the LETI Embodied Carbon Primer and the LETI/WLCN/RIBA Carbon Alignment and Definitions. The work of the volunteers involved in the upcoming UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard and the already well drafted proposed ‘Part Z’ (that dRMM endorse along with many other built environment and construction industry stakeholders – you still can too) should help to ensure that this recommendation can be implemented soon and with widespread support. The government essentially needs to just sign off on what is already being developed voluntarily by industry!

dRMM’s CLT Wintringham Primary Academy has been measured to better the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge target for embodied carbon, proving the potential for structural timber to support decarbonisation now.

I’d strongly recommend others to get stuck in, whether at a practice level or as an individual, and join the groups that are doing so much good. For instance, ACAN, LETI and Architects Declare are always interested in the support of volunteers and donations to help with their running costs.

For all practices, I’d suggest that now is also a good time to invest in upskilling and furthering knowledge to ensure everyone is up to speed with the latest best practice guidance for decarbonisation of construction ahead of the regulation change it seems is coming (and for those working in London, that already is starting to form planning policy anyhow). We have so little time left to make the change needed, so don’t get left behind.

Now that the EAC has been persuaded that we do indeed have the expertise to deliver change at the pace needed, we now need the appropriate regulatory framework and incentives to be put into place by government to support us. Hopefully the EAC’s report will be a catalyst for much needed change.