Here at the BuilderScrap HQ we’re concerned about all aspects of the environmental climate cycle. We Believe all contractors and Local Builders should understand the challenges local government have targeted in emission reduction.

The UK Government has a goal of cutting the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions by 60 per cent on 1990 levels by 2050 with real progress in the region of reductions of 50–75 million tons of carbon being made by 2020. To date, we have achieved a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 16 per cent below 1990 levels and it is anticipated that that figure will increase to 24 per cent by 2010.

Following Europe’s lead by the introduction of the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), there has been a raft of legislative activity in the UK. The Government’s Energy White Paper was published in 2003, followed by its Action Plan for Energy Efficiency in 2004. In addition, an Energy Review was announced in November 2005 to review the progress made towards meeting the goals set out in the Energy White Paper. The 2006 Climate Change and sustainable Energy Act received royal assent on 21st June, 2006 and an EU Energy Efficiency Action Plan, to be implemented over the next six years, has recently been announced. This has a target of reducing energy consumption by 20 per cent across the EU by 2020 and will expand the EPBD (see below). Most recently, a white paper on energy has been published, called Meeting the Energy Challenge, which annexes the fourth annual report on progress towards the 2003 Energy White Paper goals.

As part of the Government’s implementation of the EPBD, effective from 6th April, 2006, the Government has amended energy requirements contained within Part L of the Building Regulations, in particular requirements relating to efficiency of boilers and ventilation systems and energy saving insulation and a Planning White Paper on climate change has recently been published, in which the location and design of new developments and the use of renewable energy sources is addressed.

www.blog.builderscrap.com will publish more of these targets and governement directives so let us know your thoughts