How to bring others along on your net zero carbon journey

I believe that everyone (the scientists at least) agrees that human beings are causing the world to heat up. And to a point where life on earth may increasingly be at risk. The feeling that my generation will leave the world to our children in a worse state than we found it causes me some anxiety. I know that as architects we can do better, and I believe that a critical part of our job is helping others understand how we can make the journey to net zero carbon.

伦敦市长为实现净零碳提供了一份非常有用的指南。它指出，与建筑法规第L部分2013相比，必须达到100%的二氧化碳排放减少，以实现净零碳排放。

In simple terms, this can be achieved by:

1. Thermal efficiency of building envelopes
2. Selection of appropriate servicing strategies
3. Onsite renewables

该指导意见鼓励设计团队尽可能在现场实现减排，只有在万不得已的情况下才会向当地政府支付补偿代币。这听起来简单而伟大，但我们意识到，在说服我们的客户这是可能的方面，我们还有工作要做。

A couple of years ago, at about the same time as the Mayor of London’s net zero carbon standard guide was published, we were working on a small social housing scheme as part of a new wave of council house building. The main focus was on delivering social homes to reduce council housing waiting lists.

We realised it was a great opportunity to achieve a net zero carbon housing scheme, the first in that borough. We had met a knowledgeable and passionate sustainability consultant who we approached to advise us. A good sustainability consultant is truly worth their weight in carbon.

Together we went through a number of strategies and options to get to net zero carbon emissions for our social housing proposal. We quickly realised how important incorporating onsite low and zero carbon technologies was, such as solar panels and air source heat pumps (ASHP). ASHPs have come a long way, particularly in terms of noise reduction and efficiency. But although solar panels have come down in price, they still require further leaps in efficiency.

A fabric-first approach produces thermally efficient building envelopes to keep the energy in the building. Constraints on cost mean that not all building envelopes can achieve the highest thermal efficiency, but bear in mind that it’s the combination of insulation, air tightness and thermal bridging that drives down heat loss. There is an arsenal of measures that can be used to improve fabric efficiency.

Based on the size of the project and the proposed number of people inhabiting the building, the sustainability consultant was able to tell us the number of solar panels and ASHPs required. We sharpened our pencils and started to plot the requirements onto our proposed housing scheme.

Once we were confident we could meet the net zero emission standard, we went back to the client’s project manager and presented our proposal. “This could be your council’s first net zero carbon housing scheme,” I told him. I could sense the apprehension of the unknown hitting him.

He called in the senior project manager, and we had a video meeting together. The senior project manager, as you would expect, was more experienced and a barrage of probing questions followed:

Is net zero achievable on this project?

计算和布局表明，这是可行的，符合伦敦市长对净零碳的定义。

Are the air source heat pumps noisy?

The market has some ultra-low noise air pumps that do not need acoustic mitigation.

Is triple glazing expensive?

Double glazing can be used, and the lower performance can be balanced against improved fabric performance in other areas, such as better air tightness or reduced thermal bridging.

Are solar panels expensive?

The price of solar panels has come down by 82% over the last decade, and efficiencies are improving.

绿色屋顶会在太阳能电池板下生长吗?

Yes green roofs are compatible with solar panels, if properly oriented and installed. And brown roofs or plug-planted sedum roofs also provide good biodiversity, help insulate the roofs and help with rain runoff.

Will it cost too much?

与工程量测量师一起，我们找到了一些成本计算并提供了比较，特别是可再生能源。空气源热泵的成本大约是燃气锅炉的三倍，但与燃气锅炉相比，空气源热泵每年将为租户节省大约15%的能源账单。与燃气锅炉相比，空气源热泵每年还将减少公寓约35%的碳排放，房屋约55%的碳排放。

Is this something we should be doing?

Your organisation has declared a climate emergency. Yes, we should be doing it.

All the questions thrown at me by the senior project manager were fair and diligent. Once satisfied, he finished the meeting with a resounding “Let’s go for it then!”

想到要实现净零碳住房计划，我们兴奋不已，赶紧完成规划申请和相关文件，向规划部门提交。4个月后，申请被推荐批准，并提交给在线规划委员会。我被告知没有人反对，因此我不需要作为代理人发言。

规划委员会认识到，他们已将委员会主导的净零碳住房计划提上议程。他们似乎很兴奋，但同时又被要求对申请负责。

In particular, they really were curious to find out more. Questions shot out from each committee member. Finally the planning officer suggested that “maybe the applicant team can assist?” More questions.

Can the solar panels be stolen?

我们可以安全地把它们固定在屋顶上，防止盗窃。

居民如何知道如何使用新设备?

A resident’s information pack will be produced, and the registered social landlord will provide training and support.

我们如何知道实际的能源性能将达到所提供的计算?

已提出一项计划条件，以便每年监测能源表现，以便与能源报表比较。

Why can’t we achieve net zero carbon emissions on all our projects?

There is a point when you physically run out of space for renewables and cannot provide enough for the number of homes you are proposing. This means there is a ratio of solar panels to homes that must be considered when achieving net zero carbon. It is much harder to achieve net zero carbon, for example, in taller apartment buildings, as the roof space is small compared to the number of homes. Eventually, the whole power network will become net zero carbon, and maximising onsite renewables is an integral part of that strategy.

We realised that clients have a lot of questions as net zero carbon is often new to them. Reassurance and a clear strategy that their buildings can meet the net zero carbon standard are what they are looking for. We worked a little harder to get here, but through our belief, we were able to bring our clients along with us.

The most rewarding outcome is that now that the client organisation understand the requirements and that it is achievable, their mindset has changed. They are now actively pushing net zero carbon emissions throughout their house-building programme.

规划委员会现在问申请者:“为什么你们不能实现净零碳?”而不是“你能实现净零碳吗?”