This Task Group has now produced their recommendations and findings.  The report, executive summary and appendices are available to download from the links below.

KEY TASK GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Public sector buildings to provide anchor-loads for heat networks
2. Create an “Office for Decentralised Energy”
3. Zero carbon buildings definition to be clarified
4. CLG to develop (with private sector) Sustainability Options Plan methodology
5. Local Authorities to develop Sustainability Options plan
6. Local authority as integrator of delivery
7. Private sector to be encouraged to provide anchor-load
8. Private sector to make data available
9. Private finance mechanisms to be installed
 

FINAL REPORT AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD:

The executive summary is available for download here
The full report is available for download here
The appendices to the final report are available here
The task group has published the results of its Consumer Perceptions Research.  The research suggests that there is strong public support for “green utilities” – such as district heat, vacuum waste disposal and water harvesting – that are delivered at a community scale. A copy of the research is available here

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Deployment of integrated, cost effective, low carbon infrastructure (such as community scale heating, water harvesting, telecommunications) is crucial in meeting the challenges of delivering a sustainable built environment.    

Many of our members have told us that they feel there is currently a gap between what planners are demanding, what policy makers are stipulating, and what industry is geared up to deliver.  

UK-GBC is running a joint task group with the Zero Carbon Hub to address the challenges associated with delivering community scale infrastructure and to make recommendations on methods, models, approaches and policy changes to overcome these challenges.  

This project  builds on the recommendations of the UK-GBC task group reports ‘Carbon Reductions in New Non-Domestic  Buildings’ and ‘The Definition of Zero Carbon’, and complements discussions arising from the government’s recent consultation on the definition of zero carbon, including a range of ‘allowable solutions’ to mitigate the carbon emissions of new developments. 

Related links:
Task Group proposal: Click here
Term of reference: Click here
Press release Consumer Perception Survey: Click here

If you have any questions relating to this task group please contact Sarah Jeffcote at sarah.jeffcote@ukgbc.org.