News

Businesses sign up to Green Building Charter

26 March 2009

The Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) in Wales has been at the forefront of developing the first environmental building charter of its kind in the UK, coordinating more than 50 signatories from across business and the community.

The Green Building Charter, developed in conjunction with the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) and the Design Commission for Wales (DCfW), has seen over 50 organisations sign up to a declaration to support progress towards a built environment that contributes low or zero carbon emissions.

The built environment is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Wales. Housing construction and the way in which we run our homes account for approximately 45% of our total carbon emissions.

The initiative was part of the Built Environment and Climate Change Summit which took place at the Millennium Stadium on 12th November 2008. The project was launched by Jane Davidson, Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing and Jonathon Porritt, Chair of the Sustainable Development Commission.

Those signing up to the commitment include key partners such as the Federation of Master Builders, CBI Wales, The National Trust and Deeside College. A full list of all signatories can be found here.

This new Charter will be pivotal in achieving the Welsh Assembly Government's ambitious aspiration that all new buildings be zero carbon by 2011, five years ahead of the Governments UK wide target of 2016. The measure also seeks to make a significant contribution to Wales' target of a 3% annual reduction in emissions from 2011 onwards. This specified reduction of 3% each year would enable Wales to achieve an 80% reduction by 2050.

Another aspect of The Green Buildings Charter is aimed at drastically increasing the energy efficiency of the country's existing housing stock to further reduce Wales' carbon footprint. Direct and indirect consumption of energy from buildings generates approximately 40% of all carbon emissions in the UK.

How did we get here?

Published in 2006, the SDC report ‘I Will If You Will' highlighted the need for engagement between a range of stakeholders including government, business and the community in any process that aims to achieve fundamental change, such as the 2011 zero carbon new build aspiration. In light of this assertion, Jane Davidson AM commissioned the SDC and DCfW to deliver this groundbreaking project to drastically reduce harmful emissions from the built environment in Wales. The result was the formation of a ‘Coalition of the Willing' - a ‘cross sector network committed to sharing knowledge, removing barriers and collaborating on research and development' (extract from SDC Commissioner for Wales Peter Davies' progress report - full version presented to the Climate Change Commission in October 2008).

Cardiff University School of Architecture was invited to conduct a study of best practice in regard to new zero carbon build and a number of stakeholder events were held to identify what potential barriers to progress there might be and to discuss a way forward. This variety of opinion and information, including case studies from across Wales, the UK and Europe, fed into the Built Environment and Climate Change Summit - resulting in the final Green Buildings Charter which came into force with immediate effect in November last year.

The Charter received a very positive response from local and national media and praise from a range of organisations and institutions.

Jonathon Porritt, Chair of the UK's Sustainable Development Commission said "It is heartening to see that Wales has the foresight and ambition to accelerate progress towards a sustainable built environment. I hope that the collaborative, coordinated approach demonstrated today will enable it to make swift progress and be an exemplar for the rest of the UK."

WAG's Environment, Sustainability and Housing Minister, Jane Davidson said "Today is another Wales first in the battle against climate change demonstrating our ‘can do' attitude. We all believe early action is needed, and the charter confirms Wales's commitment to do all we can to tackle climate change and reduce our carbon footprint.

"The built environment is the largest contributor to greenhouse gases in Wales. The way in which we construct and use our homes and other buildings accounts for 40% of our total carbon emissions. It is vital that all our new buildings are energy efficient and as green as possible.

"This charter is a demonstration of the coalition of the willing, of how diverse groups from all over Wales are ready to use their voice and powers to help Wales reduce its carbon footprint."

Zero Carbon Hub

To take this work forward the Jane Davidson AM announced the formation of the Zero Carbon Hub for Wales and the Existing Homes Alliance Wales. More information on these projects will follow shortly.

For further information on this project, please contact:

Dr. Gavin Bunting
Senior Policy Advisor
02920 376978
g.bunting@sdc.wales.ac.uk

Full List Of Signatories

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