Let’s talk about carbon

Glass Times editor Nathan Bushell discusses the latest government commitment.

The government this week has enshrined in law the ambition to reduce carbon emissions by 78% by 2035, compared to 1990 levels.

Prime minister Boris Johnson said: “We want to continue to raise the bar on tackling climate change, and that’s why we’re setting the most ambitious target to cut emissions in the world.

“The UK will be home to pioneering businesses, new technologies and green innovation as we make progress to net zero emissions, laying the foundations for decades of economic growth in a way that creates thousands of jobs.”

The government pointed out that the UK continues to break records in renewable electricity generation, which has more than quadrupled since 2010, while low carbon electricity overall now gives us over 50% of our total generation.

Interestingly, the 1,500-word press release from the government doesn’t specifically mention the built environment, which did leave me scratching my head. Buildings, after all (especially existing ones) significantly contribute to the country’s carbon emissions, and this must not be ignored.

Brian Berry, chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), said: “The prime minister’s target to cut carbon emissions by 78% by 2035 will help accelerate the UK’s transition to a low carbon economy, but the building industry needs a national retrofit strategy to have the confidence it needs to invest in greening our homes.

“Our homes use 35% of the UK’s total energy usage and emit 20% of carbon dioxide emissions. Net zero will only be possible with a long-term plan to green our homes.”

However, I came to realise that the fact that the built environment wasn’t mentioned wasn’t necessarily a negative thing. If we only ever saw our country’s effect on the environment through construction, we may slowly become inured to the problem. Instead, the government’s press release talked about many aspects of our daily lives, which should hopefully keep the issue of climate change high on the list of people’s priorities.

Therefore, when we talk to customers about the effect that windows, doors and conservatories, etc, can have on the energy efficiency of their homes, it will be an easier conversation to have.