Sustainability Tue, Mar 22, 2016 5:00 PM
The British Council for Offices (BCO) launches Whole-Life Carbon report to help office sector rise to new environmental challenges
In preparation for tighter environmental legislation on office design, the BCO has today launched a Whole-Life Carbon Footprint Measurement And Offices report to increase understanding of the growing relevance of measuring the energy efficiency of buildings from a whole-life carbon[1] perspective.
The report is launched at a time when, in the current difficult financial climate, it will be those buildings that have a strong whole-life carbon rating that will attract occupiers keen on minimising running and refurbishment costs.
Produced by the BCO’s Environmental Sustainability Group, it highlights the need to place a greater emphasis on considering embodied carbon to help reduce the overall carbon footprint of existing and new office buildings. An issue that is also being forced through by new legislation which will shift the balance from management of operational to embodied emissions.
The European Directive CEN TC 3502 will require Member States to legislate so that new buildings are designed in adherence to this whole-life approach. Over the next few years, all private office buildings over a certain size will also have to display Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), designed to strengthen commitment to CO2 reduction.
Richard Kauntze, Chief Executive of the BCO, said:
“The environmental performance of the UK’s office stock is a pivotal issue for the BCO and through this report we aim to demystify the concept of whole-life carbon measurement.“There is an increasing connection between operational and embodied carbon emissions that developers, designers and tenants need to be aware of. This connection is born out of legislative demands but also environmental best practice, in which we encourage the office sector to lead.“We hope the Whole-Life Carbon Footprint Measurement And Offices report provides guidance to all elements of the office sector so that companies are well placed to take advantage of opportunities that arise out of this evolving environmental landscape.” The report reveals that out-of-town air-conditioned offices have the highest carbon impact of all office types, and that the largest single contributor to whole-life carbon emissions is from in-use emissions.
The BCO’s Whole-Life Carbon Footprint Measurement And Offices report encompasses:
Almost one-fifth of the UK’s operational carbon emissions currently come from commercial and other non-domestic buildings, but this level is higher once embodied carbon has been factored in. To download the BCO’s Whole-Life Carbon Footprint Measurement And Offices report, visit the BCO’s website (www.bco.org.uk).
Featured News
Balancing sustainability and style, Sort Trae is the culmination of a retired...
Marshalls Bricks and Masonry has unveiled a new range of concrete facing bricks,...
BUILDING PRODUCT LIBRARY - LATEST BROCHURES
FRAMESAFE FR A2 FIRE...
By Glidevale Protect
A Guide to Aluminium...
By F.H. Brundle
Handrailing & Balust...
By F.H. Brundle
RLG600 Access Floori...
By Kingspan Data & Floo...
RHG600 Simploc
By Kingspan Data & Floo...
BUILDING PRODUCT DIRECTORY - LATEST PRODUCTS
Straightcurve® – headquartered in Australia, is renowned for high-end innovative garden edging,...
The Kingspan RLG600 raised access floor panel is intended for light office use and is capable of...
Kingspan RHG600 Simploc is the heavy grade floor system, capable of handling up to a 12kN/m2...
CONSTRUCTION VIDEOS - LATEST VIDEOS
Straightcurve® Product Range Overview - A Demonstration of Installation Ease
In progressive and dynamic business sectors, such as construction, it’s natural to be forward...
Decorative aluminium horizontal bulkheads more than 100 metres long have been supplied and installed...