The @IPCC_CH #WG3 report buildings chapter is punchy. Calls for downsizing taxes because growth in residential floorspace per head is the biggest driver of CO2 in buildings 1990-2019 (56%). @UKGBC @ArchitectsCAN
Report rubbishes the idea that hydrogen will heat buildings - cost 'much higher' than cost of heat from heat pumps.
And focuses on reducing #UpFrontCarbon by building less floorspace, more efficiently, and replacing steel, brick and concrete with timber (and using less fossil fuel to make materials). And concludes there are sufficient forests and fields in Europe to provide timber & insulation
And encourages demand flexibility - deferring electricity usage in return for cost saving is seen as big potential driver to reduce peak demand.
For insulation, personal attitudes, values, existing information & support are the drivers. Often triggered by urgent comfort or replacement needs. Local professionals can encourage or discourage depending on their training. And aesthetics & mixed tenure apartments are barriers.
As is the heterogeneity of the sector (every building/owner combo is unique). Report calls for a better understanding of behavioural barriers. And identifies positive benefits for health, wellbeing and income distribution.
And the need for multiple policies to achieve effective system change. @beisgovuk with building energy efficiency standards, with enforcement, being very effective.
And report highlights 15 studies from 12 countries showing that homes with high energy efficiency are sold at higher prices (1.5% - 28%, median 7.8%).
It's a tough read but there isn't a literature review to rival it and there are plenty of insights to help industry and government through the complexity of the policy and processes needed to achieve system change
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
