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Construction Sector Lags Behind in the Journey to Zero Carbon Emissions

Construction Sector Lags Behind in the Journey to Zero Carbon Emissions

Construction sector lags behind in the journey to zero carbon emissions.

The UK aims to be one of the global leaders on climate change and reducing carbon emissions in the coming years. They’re setting out goals to achieve net zero carbon emissions by the year 2050. However, this success depends not only on the population, but on companies and industries working together to achieve this goal. Currently, the shift to renewable energy and carbon neutrality isn’t progressing enough to reach these goals. The construction industry is one particular industry struggling to keep up.  

 

Global emissions and therefore, global temperatures, continue to rise. Yet, the global response has been slow. This needs to change. By mitigating carbon emissions and limiting the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere, we should see this change. By adopting more energy efficiency policies, by bringing in new laws, by adapting how everyone works, we can be the change.  

 

It is a well-known fact, that we, as humans, are having a negative impact on the earth. To ensure a brighter, greener future for the following generations, we must reduce our carbon emissions by at least half by 2030. Currently, over 50 different countries, local governments and businesses have already pledged to help us reach net zero carbon emissions. But, what does that actually mean?  

 

What is Net Zero Carbon Emissions?

To enable us, as humans to reduce our impact on the planet, we need to reduce our carbon emissions. This can be done by removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. We can do this by carbon removal. We need to remove human caused emissions such as fossil fuel waste from vehicles and factories etc. Then, we begin to redress the balance by restoring forests or creating new tech to remove carbon from the air. The overarching goal is to achieve carbon neutrality.  

 

Policy Connect Logo  

Policy Connect:

The All-Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group, supported by Policy Connect, are monitoring the Government's progress. It watches how the government develops domestic policy.  They monitor how we’ll close the gap between current carbon dioxide emission trajectory and net zero carbon emissions targets. Policy Connect have created an interactive dashboard that assesses Gov UK's progress. It assesses key areas like policy design, against recommendations made in the last 12 months. It is updated as industries work on their emission reduction commitment. For further details, see the Methodology section of their website.  

 

PolicyConnect scale  

Currently, the construction industry is ranked as a 4. As you can see, this is the lower end of the ‘on the way’ ranking. There is some positivity to take away from this, as it could be worse. However, the industry could be doing much more. As of 2019, 12% of the UK total carbon emissions was due to the construction industry (although this did fall by 2% from the previous year). There were 7 construction/manufacturing objectives provided by the Climate Change Group last year. However, only one was met. This shows big room for improvement in terms of moving towards a carbon neutral strategy.  

 

What Do We Need To Do to Achieve Zero Carbon Emissions?

There are a few suggestions that could raise the ranking and help the industry hitting its target. This includes more funding of initiatives and timelines being brought forward to force some companies. Levies being formed to help introduce cost-reflective electricity pricing would be a good place to start too. This could help the industry move towards a net-zero emissions goal. However, these policy changes have taken a backseat, not just in the UK but across the globe as the world deals with the pandemic. This has meant that emissions reductions, although still a priority, have been delayed.  

 

Hydrogen - An Alternative to Gas?

Whilst considering our journey to zero carbon emissions, we must begin to look at gas alternatives. Something that will have a massive impact on the future of the central heating sector, is the emphasis on hydrogen. We'd use this instead of natural methane gas and fossil fuels. Hydrogen is an abundant natural resource that would provide a temporary fix. As with natural gas, the resource is inevitably finite. It does however, buy us more time to discover a fully renewable and clean means of heating our homes.   Despite the government saying it will start producing alternatives to natural gas boilers in the next five years, it has yet to provide any support. There is no infrastructure or awareness currently in place to encourage this. As it stands, there is very little clarity on the matter.  Understandably, this will not be an overnight fix. There needs to be specific hydrogen pipelines and testing if the zero-carbon emissions target is to be met. Plans are being made, but some of these plans are just that; plans. There needs to be more dedication to reaching the climate action goals if the industry wants to up its currently poor ranking. We need to reduce our carbon footprint to reduce CO2 emissions and reach the zero carbon emissions goal.  

Net Zero Carbon Emissions 2050  

 

It’s Not All Doom and Gloom!

In 2016, testing began in the UK. Companies such as Worcester Bosch have begun to take steps towards upgrading their appliances to reflect this change. Whilst we still have a long way to go, progress is happening and that's good. The industry has made some positive moves. Here at Mr Central Heating, we're looking to contribute more. That’s why we've introduced products like HomeScale Protect and BoilerBox. We're committed to supporting sustainability initiatives. We're doing whatever we can to support the government’s pledge to decrease emissions by 80% by 2050. If you’d like to read more about our sustainability and our pledge to contribute to the net zero carbon emmisions goal, read here.  

 

Looking for more green alternatives? Why not check out our Pinterest board dedicated to a more greener home build?