“Built to Last” Sustainability in Building Duncan McLaren Chief Executive Presentation to European Builders Confederation Annual Congress, October 2006, Edinburgh

Duncan McLaren Slide 2 of Overview of presentation The climate imperative Zero-carbon buildings Profiting from sustainability Certification and standards Conclusions

Duncan McLaren Slide 3 of Climate change is the overriding challenge …

Duncan McLaren Slide 4 of Climate change is the overriding challenge … …new zero-carbon buildings are needed now The next years are critical to keep the world’s climatic systems from potential meltdown - within that period greenhouse gas emissions must pass their peak globally To take only a fair ‘carbon budget’ in the UK (and Europe) emissions must fall by at least 3% a year and by around 70% in the next 30 years. Buildings constructed now will be in use throughout that period, whilst much of the building stock of 2040 is already in place Today’s new buildings must be carbon neutral The climate imperative Zero-carbon buildings Profitable sustainability Standards & certification Conclusions

Duncan McLaren Slide 5 of Energy efficiency is critical …

Duncan McLaren Slide 6 of Energy efficiency is critical … about 40% of carbon emissions come from energy used in buildings The 40% house scenario shows how the UK could cut emissions from housing by 60% by 2050 To reduce energy demand, and cut fuel poverty it combines: –Tough new-build energy standards, and well- designed new homes –Accelerated renewal of the housing stock –Refurbishment of the remaining stock This could deliver a 36% reduction in energy demand, despite a 33% increase in household numbers. The climate imperative Zero-carbon buildings Profitable sustainability Standards & certification Conclusions

Duncan McLaren Slide 7 of Renewable energy generation can turn homes into net power sources …

Duncan McLaren Slide 8 of Renewable energy generation can turn homes into net power sources … exporting electricity to the grid The same UK scenario suggests microgeneration could deliver 100% of electricity and 80% of heat by 2050 –3/4 of all homes will have community combined heat and power (CHP), micro CHP, biomass boilers or heat pumps for heating –2/3 of all homes will have solar water heating –1/3 of all homes will have photovoltaics –Micro-wind turbines could appear on more than 5% of all homes The climate imperative Zero-carbon buildings Profitable sustainability Standards & certification Conclusions

Duncan McLaren Slide 9 of Materials matter too …

Duncan McLaren Slide 10 of Materials matter too … … to cut embodied energy and manage carbon Cement production accounts for over 5% of all carbon dioxide emissions Timber production can be carbon neutral Using timber in buildings creates a ‘store’ of carbon Local or waste materials such as rammed earth or straw bales can also be highly carbon-efficient Long-life, durable buildings ‘spread’ the environmental impact of materials, whilst toxic materials should be avoided The climate imperative Zero-carbon buildings Profitable sustainability Standards & certification Conclusions

Duncan McLaren Slide 11 of Buildings have to be in the right places …

Duncan McLaren Slide 12 of Buildings have to be in the right places … … with integrated transport and planning policies Transport accounts for almost 30% of climate changing emissions, and is the fastest growing sector, especially air travel Urban sprawl - or ‘californication’ - is increasing journey lengths and increasing car use Compact cities are best for walking, cycling and public transport The climate imperative Zero-carbon buildings Profitable sustainability Standards & certification Conclusions

Duncan McLaren Slide 13 of Profiting from sustainability …

Duncan McLaren Slide 14 of Profiting from sustainability … … what could be more natural? More demolition and more construction to replace the worst buildings means more opportunities Higher densities - good for energy and transport efficiency - mean lower unit costs where land prices are high Sustainable buildings generally involve higher costs. But they can command higher values - not least from lower running costs The public will pay more for sustainable buildings - but to capture that needs certification - such as ‘LEED’ or ‘eco-homes’ Regulation and enforcement - such as EPBD labelling - is needed to establish market opportunities The climate imperative Zero-carbon buildings Profitable sustainability Standards & certification Conclusions

Duncan McLaren Slide 15 of Sustainable building requires standards and certification …

Duncan McLaren Slide 16 of Sustainable building requires standards and certification … which the EBC can help deliver Certification helps create new markets - the EBC should be helping develop trusted labelling and certification schemes Regulation stops the cowboys undercutting responsible businesses - the EBC should be supporting regulation for sustainability And in addition the EBC should Help its members learn the necessary skills to deliver certified sustainable buildings Build wider alliances to ensure sustainable materials and sites are available The climate imperative Zero-carbon buildings Profitable sustainability Standards & certification Conclusions

Duncan McLaren Slide 17 of Built to Last …

Duncan McLaren Slide 18 of Built to Last … … a challenge Sustainable buildings need sustainable design, sustainable certification and sustainable regulation Sustainable buildings are quality buildings with low energy requirements Sustainable buildings are healthy buildings, avoiding toxic materials and offering control to their occupants Sustainable buildings are built to last - with the next generation in mind - will EBC members be building to last? The climate imperative Zero-carbon buildings Profitable sustainability Standards & certification Conclusions