In February 2016, at the beginning of PETP, we conducted research into the aspects of design that can help influence rehabilitative outcomes.

Due to the growing pressure in the construction industry, many new developments claim they can achieve net zero carbon emissions.In many cases, they refer to the possibility of achieving net zero carbon in operation only, which means that they do not account for the embodied carbon of the building over its lifecycle.

A net zero carbon building is one that achieves both zero operational (regulated and unregulated) and zero embodied emissions.. Buildings should only be considered net zero carbon if the amount of carbon emissions associated with a building’s products/materials, construction stages, use (including operation) and deconstruction, is zero or negative.This can be achieved via measures to reduce the use or the carbon of individual materials, the implementation of energy efficiency measures, the use of on-site renewables and finally a combination of carbon offset schemes and green Power Purchase Agreements (PPA)..It should be noted, that for most new developments nowadays it is not feasible to become net zero within the possibilities of the design (energy and material efficiency measures), so the use of carbon offset schemes and PPA is essential.. Why should we focus on sustainable construction and net zero carbon?.

The UK has established ambitious targets to reduce carbon by 2050.The UK aspires to reduce total carbon emissions by 78% by 2035, compared to 2020 levels, and become net zero carbon by 2050.

These ambitions, translated to the built environment, can only be achieved via the implementation of measures to reduce operational and embodied carbon of new buildings, upgrading existing buildings, the use of ambitious policies and crucially via a decarbonised grid..

The built environment contributes to around 40% of the UK's total carbon footprint.This is creating confusion surrounding outputs in terms of what people are receiving and why.

Currently, after designers create the concept design (including testing related to the engineering), things get handed over to the contractors to de-risk the program, make changes, and make the design work for them.They then deliver what’s left back to the client.

Lamont doesn’t believe it’s necessarily the best process.. On the other side of things, there are governments trying to lead the path to innovation.In the UK there’s Level 2 BIM.