Energy Saving News
London New Builds Achieve 33% Carbon Cuts
A London South Bank University report reveals that new developments in London are cutting their carbon emissions by 33%.
The capital’s Mayor, Boris Johnson, is committed to achieving a 60% cut in emissions by 2025 and has focused efforts on the energy efficiency of buildings, which account for 71% of emissions (excluding aviation).
This is great news for the Energy Saving Association (ESA). ESA Council Member, Ken Cheyne, strongly believes in energy efficiency as a critical factor for achieving real environmentally friendly results: "Not only does this kind of action reduce the buildings' running costs significantly and makes them more able to withstand time, but it also secures a tangible cut in harmful emissions through the eradication of energy wastage. London's initiative is extremely commendable", he says.
Mr, Johnson's plan for London is pushing developers to surpass basic building regulation requirements by incorporating sustainability and low-carbon measures in new builds.
CO2 savings from new developments have increased from an average of 29% in 2006 to 34% in 2009, above basic building regulation levels.
Mayor Johnson wants to implement more stringent building standards for 2010-2013, with a target of 44% carbon reduction in new developments, which is supported by improvements in building performance, according to the report.
Carbon savings are being achieved through the use of passive heating, energy efficient lighting, combined heat and power units and on-site renewables.
Mr. Johnson comments: “This report underscores that we are on the right track with a range of energy busting measures being pursued across the capital’s new developments, But we can go further.”
“With the majority of London’s carbon emissions coming from buildings, it is crucial that developers, planners and boroughs are encouraged to raise the bar when proposing new sites, so they are as energy efficient as possible,” he adds.
Meanwhile, energy supplier EDF Energy is to join the Mayor’s Building Energy Efficiency Programme (BEEP), which aims to help the public sector accelerate plans to retrofit buildings with energy saving measures.
The program is part of the Clinton Climate Initiative aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of cities around the world.
Thursday 7th January 2010
