1.
Introduction and background
1.1.
Brighton & Hove City Council have created a programme of work
to reduce carbon emissions across Brighton & Hove to become a
carbon neutral city by 2030. The Housing Committee Work Plan
2019-2023 includes commitments to provide 800 additional council
homes and develop a policy setting out how it will work
collaboratively to ensure housing contributes to making Brighton
& Hove Carbon Neutral by 2030.
1.2.
The council’s Brighton & Hove Circular Economy Routemap
includes actions to reduce carbon emissions and materials waste in
the built environment. This policy matches the targets and actions
in the Routemap Action Plan.
1.3.
The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget 2022/23 includes a
Sustainability and Retrofit Reserve. This reserve can be used to
fund the cost of delivering sustainability initiatives in the HRA
to achieve the city’s Carbon Neutral by 2030 target subject
to approval of the business case. New build housing projects can
access this fund to support the delivery of carbon reductions and
avoid future costs of retrofitting to achieve carbon neutrality.
Funding arranagements are subject to full
business case approval from Policy & Resources, use of this
reserve will be considered alongside the wider financial context
for the HRA.
2.
Scope
2.1.
This policy applies to new build housing projects delivered through
capital programmes including the New Homes for Neighbourhoods
programme and the Hidden Homes programme.
2.2.
Retrofits, conversions, small infill projects, and non-council
housing development projects are not covered by this
policy.
3.
Principles
3.1.
Net zero carbon emissions for construction can be defined as:
‘when the amount of carbon emissions associated with a
building’s product and construction stages up to practical
completion is zero or negative, through the use of offsets or the
net export of on-site renewable energy’.
3.2.
Net zero carbon emissions for operational energy can be defined as:
‘When the amount of carbon emissions associated with the
building’s operational energy on an annual basis is zero or
negative. A net zero carbon building is highly energy efficient and
powered from on-site and/or off-site renewable energy sources, with
any remaining carbon balance offset’.
3.3.
This policy addresses net zero carbon emissions for construction
and operational energy. Meeting net zero carbon for construction is
entirely within the council’s control whereas meeting net
zero carbon for operational energy is dependent on resident
behaviour. The policy will contribute to achieving net zero carbon
for operational energy by, for example, reducing demand through a
fabric first approach (insulation and shading), using low carbon
heating systems and providing on-site renewable energy
supplies.
3.4.
This policy also addresses whole life carbon emissions which
include construction and operational energy, as well as
maintenance, repair and demolition. The policy will contribute to
this through, for example, minimising need for repairs and
maintenance, and designing for reuse of materials within buildings
at the end of their life.
3.5.
To ensure new homes can be let at affordable rents, are robust and
are suitable for our client group, a balance must be struck between
minimising whole life carbon emissions, minimising impact on the
environment, and achieving value for money. Any construction carbon
emissions that cannot be offset on site will need to be offset
elsewhere to achieve net zero emissions. The council will not aim
to offset these remaining emissions at this time but will make
every endeavour to minimise construction carbon emissions while
achieving its other aims. A strategy for offsetting construction
carbon emissions will be investigated as part of a council wide
strategy/approach.
3.6.
The objectives detailed in this policy include RIBA 2030 Climate
Challenge targets. The targets were developed with industry
experts, are shown to be achievable and consider the latest
recommendations from the Green Construction Board.
3.7.
This policy aligns with the emerging Housing Asset Management
Strategy and Housing Strategy to ensure positive impacts for
residents, particularly in helping to reduce fuel poverty. To
ensure its objectives and targets can be met, the council will
actively seek development opportunities that are a good strategic
fit with these strategies.
3.8.
This policy will be reviewed each year and as new information and
guidance becomes available it will be updated to include
improvements in targets and process which match best practice for
the construction industry.
4.
Objectives
4.1.
Whole Life Carbon Assessments are undertaken for every project
– to consider the feasibility of different carbon reduction
measures and advise on design strategy, as well as estimate and
measure whole life carbon emissions for the building.
4.2.
Circular Economy Assessments are undertaken for each project using
a circular economy engagement tool to embed circular principles
from the inception of the project.
4.3.
A Sustainability Strategy following the RIBA Plan of Work is
undertaken for each project, to challenge design and construction
teams to identify and include sustainable measures at all stages of
the project.
4.4.
Building Performance Evaluations are undertaken for every project
– to check buildings are performing as designed and intervene
sooner if they aren’t, and to improve the design and outcomes
of future developments, thereby closing the performance gap between
design and operation. Evaluations can support tenants to fully
realise the energy efficiency benefits and information will be
shared with the wider construction industry, supporting sector wide
improvement.
4.5.
Building Performance Evaluations will report the amount of reused
and recycled materials used, and the amount of reusable and
recyclable materials which can be recovered at the end of the
building’s life. They will also report the amount of
materials which hold EPD (Environmental Product Declaration)
information. Targets 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4 are currently aims and there
are not yet strict requirements to meet them as achievability must
be informed by successful case studies. Following evaluation of
completed projects and future best practice from the wider
industry, the targets will be reviewed to make sure they are
challenging but achievable.
4.6.
If there are specific site constraints or high costs related to
carbon reduction measures which make a project unfeasible or
unviable, a project would not be required to meet all of the
targets given in this policy.
4.7.
The council will continually review the resource and development
needs of council officers in relation to sustainable housing
development. This will be aligned to a programme of training and
Continuing Professional Development ensuring relevant officers have
the knowledge and skills to deliver this policy.
4.8.
Suppliers and contractors are expected to have the relevant
experience to deliver more sustainable projects, or plan to develop
such experience. Procurement execises will include these
requirements.
4.9.
Council officers, suppliers and contractors will be expected to
participate positively with actions which address the climate
emergency and actively identify improvements.
4.10. The
council will actively develop formal and informal relationships
with local authorities and other relevant bodies to share knowledge
and information.
4.11.
Meeting the targets set in this policy will help to improve
tenant’s comfort and reduce the risk of fuel poverty. The
council will avoid systems that are difficult to use and support
tenants to realise the benefits of their new homes by supplying
information and training to minimise their energy bills.
5.
Targets
5.1.
All new projects to meet the following RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge
– version 2 (2021) targets:
Operational
Energy:
< 35 kWh/m2/y
Embodied
Carbon:
< 625 kgCO2e/m2
Potable Water Use:
< 75 Litres/person/day
Overheating:
25-28 °C maximum for 1% of occupied hours
Daylighting:
> 2% av. Daylight factor, 0.4 uniformity
CO2
levels:
< 900 ppm
Total
VOCs:
< 0.3 mg/m3
Formaldehyde:
< 0.1 mg/m3
5.2.
Monitor and report the amount of reused and recycled content for
all construction materials used on site. Aim for reused and
recycled content to be at least 20% by weight.
5.3.
Monitor and report the amount reusable and recyclable content (at
end of life) for all construction materials used on site. Aim for
reusable content to be at least 50% by weight.
5.4.
Aim for 50% of new material to hold certified EPD.
