Over the course of 2022, key updates are being introduced to the Building Regulations in England, Scotland, and Wales. These changes will mean that both new-build and refurbishment projects will need to meet tougher requirements. Jonathan Ducker, head of Regulatory Affairs at Kingspan Insulation GB, discusses the key changes being introduced this year for energy performance.
Direct emissions from buildings accounted for around 17% of total UK greenhouse gas emissions in 20191 . As the country looks to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 (2045 in Scotland) it will be essential to significantly reduce these both from new and existing buildings. This will be especially important for healthcare facilities, which are often among the most energy-intensive buildings, both in terms of ‘shrinking’ emissions, and addressing the rapid rises in energy costs
To help drive these reductions, England, Scotland, and Wales, are all in the process of updating the energy performance requirements within their Building Regulations and Standards. In England these were introduced on 15 June, with Scotland’s updates due to come into force on 1 December, and Wales expected to be introduced by the close of the year. These changes are seen as a key steppingstone, laying the groundwork for further updates due in 2024 (Scotland) and 2025 (England and Wales), when virtually all new buildings will need to be ‘net-zero ready’. The NHS has also set its own target to reach net zero on all ‘directly controlled’ emissions by 2040.2
Specific targets
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