Bioregional’s Post

Amazing piece of thought leadership from my colleague Alex McCann With the recent WMS on energy efficiency standards and the even more recent judicial review judgement, this research and insight is even more pertinent. The fallout from this is that local authorities are potentially limited in their ability to set ambitious energy standards that are compatible with our UK net zero targets. Inital research shows that the use and adoption of truly net zero policies that use EUI and space heat demand metrics are not inhibiting planning approvals and delivery of housing (noting the sample size). We need to be mindful of this as we hear a lot over the coming few weeks from the new Government that building new homes is a priority and anything that restricts this, must be avoided. Our view is clear. Ambitious, but clear and consistent policies that align with the 2050 net zero target, and allow for LPAs to set their own standards do not prevent approvals and new homes to be built. Bioregional Marina Goodyear Good Homes Alliance Etude Thomas Lefevre Clara Bagenal George Anna MacKenzie Ronan Leyden

It has long been advocated by lackadaisical housebuilders that net zero standards will significantly impact their ability to deliver new homes. Although preliminary data, the trends show that this is not remotely the case across the majority of data points assessed. Can anyone point me in the direction of evidence to suggest the contrary? Or perhaps these claims have in fact been driven by vested interests? We look forward to assessing the implementation of these policies over the coming months to further strengthen the argument that the housing and climate crises can be addressed simultaneously.

In a climate where #energyefficiency is one of the primary requirements of our buildings – both old and new – England’s 350,000 listed homes and the 2.8 million that are situated in conservation areas have long been problematic in this regard. A new Government review titled: Adapting historic homes for energy efficiency: a review of the barriers sets out to address these issues. The report has been published by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, The Department for Energy Security & Net Zero and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities. Buildings remain the UK’s second highest-emitting sector, accounting for 17% of total emissions. Furthermore, the #UK has the oldest building stock in #Europe with 36% of it built before 1944. Needless to say, planning was identified as a major barrier to the retrofitting of energy efficiency and #lowcarbon heating measures such as #solarpanels, #heatpumps and #doubleglazing. While 93% of applications are approved, it is the length of the process that was frustrating. There are around 27,000 listed building consent applications to local planning authorities per year, with only 76% of applications decided within the expected 8-week timescale. Cost is another issue, with a 2022 survey of the owners and occupiers of listed buildings finding that cost was the most significant obstacle to #retrofitting. The review concludes with a summary of 55 ‘current actions and future commitments’ designed to enable the efficient retrofitting of such properties,. These include: - Delivery of planning reform so that it supports good design and environmental outcomes better, is less complex, and easier to engage with. - Publish a Historic England Advice Note (HEAN) on Climate Change and Historic Building Adaptation to help decision-makers deliver #climateaction while protecting heritage - Development of a new online training platform that can provide training to #localauthorities - Set out clearly which energy efficiency measures need planning permission or listed building consent Explore how retrofit funding programmes can support complex-to-#decarbonise homes and #historicbuildings. Chris Hewett, Chief Executive of Solar Energy UK said: ‘It is plain to see that there is far too much bureaucracy getting in the way of installing #solarpanels and other energy upgrades, where they can be done in an appropriate and respectful fashion, on England’s older buildings. So I am glad to see that the government is pushing forward with making the confusing series of existing rules clearer, while easing them in the longer term.’

How do we deliver homes at scale? ✔ Reducing energy demand ✔ In-use performance and comfort ✔ Maintaining quality These are all factors that housebuilders are grappling with. Could Passivhaus be a solution? The new NHBC Foundation report looks at feasibility, barriers and opportunities. Read it now - https://ow.ly/gIEy50Sutip #FoundationReport #ClimateChange #NetZero

What are the implications of planning on Ireland’s carbon emissions and the importance of building #ClimateSafe homes? Read more on Passive House Plus about what was discussed at #BetterHomes2023👇

🌍 Get ready for new EU regulations: Renovation of Inefficient Buildings! 🏢 📣 Attention real estate portfolio holders! The European Union is introducing new regulations that will mandate the renovation of highly inefficient buildings. As part of the Green New Deal, the Union aims to increase energy efficiency standards, including the upcoming Zero Emission Standard for new constructions. Additionally, developers and asset managers must closely monitor other energy-saving targets for 2030 in both primary and final energy consumption across the EU. Asset and portfolio managers, take note: by 2030, a country's least efficient 16% of building stock must undergo renovation. While member states define measures to meet these goals, it's time to assess your portfolio. Identify inefficient buildings, diagnose potential issues, and consider conducting energy audits to prepare for upcoming regulations. Ready to adapt to these regulations? Connect with us today: 📧 info.sweden@dreso.com to ensure your portfolio is prepared for the future! 💡🌱🏢 #Dreso #EURegulations #GreenNewDeal #RealEstate #Sustainability #Renovation #EnergyEfficiency #ESG

🙌 This is great news! Older buildings often benefit the most from green technologies, such as ground source heat pumps, so relaxing planning rules will help these buildings transition faster and bring them in line with the majority of British buildings which don’t require planning permission to install heat pumps. Removing the barriers which prevent homes from installing clean heat solutions, such as ground source heat pumps, is essential in order to decarbonise Britain’s buildings. It also underlines the fact that electrified heat is the most viable and effective decarbonisation strategy for Britain’s existing buildings, as well new build projects. https://lnkd.in/ezk8f23D

🌍 Exciting news for the real estate industry in the European Union! 🌱 The European Union is adopting important legislative measures on its way to carbon neutrality. This includes a green revolution in real estate and construction. 💚 Estate magazine summarized how these measures will affect the real estate business. One of the main aspects is the regulation of the energy demand and efficiency of buildings. The new legislation will introduce stricter requirements for the energy efficiency and effectiveness of buildings. As a result, building owners and developers will need to invest in energy-saving technologies such as insulation, efficient heating and cooling systems, and renewable energy sources. The aim is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainability in the construction and real estate sector. In addition, the new regulation will also deal with the taxation of activities and assets associated with greenhouse gas emissions. This will affect businesses involved in the production of such emissions, including the real estate industry. The overall goal of these regulatory measures is to redirect private capital towards sustainable assets and activities. This means that the real estate and construction industry must adapt and adopt more sustainable practices, technologies and materials. It is an opportunity to invest in green building methods, renewable energy systems and efficient building management. Being informed about these legislative changes and actively promoting sustainable practices will not only help protect the environment, but also increase the long-term value and attractiveness of real estate. Let's be part of this green revolution and together create a more sustainable future for the real estate industry in the European Union! 🌍🏢 #Sustainability #RealEstateIndustry #GreenRevolution #CarbonNeutrality #Environment #

Could local authorities be key to the UK achieving net zero?  How we achieve net zero in the UK by 2050 is a prevalent question. A re-structuring of the economy is a key contributor, however in the property sector, the UK government has not yet developed a nationwide net zero strategy with firm commitments.  Ross Boulton, associate sustainability consultant at Buro Happold, explores in an article with Property Week, how local authorities are implementing some impressive policies to achieve the government’s legal target. Whilst the Greater London Authority has already adopted embodied carbon limits for new homes and buildings, Ross said: “Bath and North East Somerset Council (B&NES) has gone one step further, creating a bespoke energy-based net zero housing policy.” B&NES is the only council to have currently approved an energy-based net zero housing approach, and Ross notes that, “developers should be gearing up to see similar rules being adopted across the country.” Read the full story and more details on the B&NES bespoke policy in the article below.  #BNES #council #localauthorities #government #netzero #embodiedcarbon #housingpolicy #sustainability #BuroHappold #engineering 

A boost for renovation: Europe’s buildings directive is on the right track – goes into the hands of the Council of the EU On March 12, the European Parliament voted in favour of the proposed text of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (#EPBD), taking Europe one step closer to a climate-neutral building stock. While the text of the EPBD has been approved, for the Directive to be officially adopted and become law, the European Council still has to vote in 3 days. The revised EPBD recognises the importance of information services, also called one-stop-shops, in reducing the energy consumption of homes, by setting Member States a target of at least 1 one-stop-shop (#OSS) for every 80,000 citizens.  One-stop shops serve as an essential guide for homeowners interested in starting the home renovation process by providing a digital and/or physical platform and space where consumers can go and find the information they need to make the best choices for their properties. Digital OSS platforms, like the one being developed by the LIFE HORIS project, aim to simplify the home renovation process and break down the barriers currently faced by consumers. “The building stock is characterised by poorly insulated and energy inefficient buildings. It is therefore essential to invest in the large-scale renovation of buildings, both to improve user comfort and for the necessary decarbonisation of the building stock, which will speed up the climate transition. From the citizens’ perspective, this law is key to help in this transition to more energy-efficient homes while reducing energy bills”, adds Elsa Agante, team leader Energy and Sustainability at DECO Proteste and project coordinator. Read more in our article! https://lnkd.in/eDYty7Ab #LIFEamplifiers LIFE Programme | GNE Finance | CINEA - European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency | ANERR Asociación Nacional de Empresas de Rehabilitación y Reforma | Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade NOVA de Lisboa | Altroconsumo | OCU | Deco Proteste | INEGI driving science & innovation | Bureau Veritas Portugal | Institute for European Energy and Climate Policy Foundation (IEECP) | De Groene Grachten