Resource
Carbon Reductions in New Non-Domestic Buildings Report
Resource Type: GBC Report
Author: UK-GBC
Published: 2007-12-17
Document Type: 
The Communities and Local Government 'Green Commercial Buildings Task Group' commissioned the UK-GBC to investigate the costs and benefits of raising the energy performance standards in new non-domestic buildings above those currently set out in the Building Regulations all the way to zero carbon. The report investigates the opportunities for achieving zero carbon in new non domestic buildings. Following on from the targets set out in the Code for Sustainable Homes to achieve radical emissions reductions in new homes; our report aims to add to the understanding of whether similar targets in the commercial sector can be set and achieved and in what timescale.
The reporting process itself was pioneering. Commissioned by CLG, the report is the result of several months of work by a number of UK-GBC members - some of them competitors - who have shared data and collaborated over the project.
Key findings in the report are as follows:
- It is possible to reduce carbon emissions from energy use down to zero in the majority of new non-domestic buildings, as long as onsite, near-site and offsite renewable solutions are employed
- There is a cost associated with building to zero carbon. Cost varies widely with both the form and the use of the building. However, preliminary modelling suggest that the premium could range from over 30% down to as low as 5 or 10% of current baseline costs.
- A challenging yet achievable timeframe for achieving zero carbon new non-domestic buildings along the lines set for housing is needed. With a trajectory in place similar to that adopted for the Code for Sustainable Homes, then a deadline of 2020 could be adopted.
