Sustainability
ABOUT US
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WELSH GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCE CLIMATE CHANGE EMERGENCY 2019
“Our sustainable development and environmental legislation is already recognized as world leading and now we must use that legislation to set a new pace of change.”
PROSPERITY FOR ALL – A LOW CARBON WALES
“A Low Carbon Wales, which sets out 100 policies and proposals to meet the 2020 carbon emissions targets. The Welsh Government has committed to achieving a carbon neutral public sector by 2030 and to coordinating action to help other areas of the economy to make a decisive shift away from fossil fuels”
THE FUTURE GENERATIONS COMMISSIONER FOR WALES - FUTURE GENERATIONS (WALES) ACT 2015
The Environment (Wales) Act 2016 introduces a duty on Welsh Government to develop carbon budgets for Wales, and to reduce emissions by at least 80% by 2050. The Future Generations (WALES) Act 2015 has been the catalyst for higher standards of decarbonisation in Wales
OUR ETHICAL POSITION AS A PRACTICE HAS CHANGED
With the ever growing priority to decarbonise our existing construction industry we have taken the responsible ethical position in setting out higher standards for both our projects and the works that we engage with, ensuring that carbon emissions consideration on all projects is a focal point in our design approach.
UK ARCHITECTS DECLARE CLIMATE AND BIODIVERSITY EMERGENCY
We are part of 950+ Architects across the UK Industry to declare this.
ADVISING AND CONSIDERING THE IMPACT OF CARBON POSITIVE MATERIALS
Where achievable are we able to replace carbon heavy materials such as Steel and concrete with more sustainable materials such as glu-lam, and SIP panels. - By ensuring that properties meet their designed energy level needs we are able to minimize the impact on the national grid, this in turn helps reduce carbon heavy coal powering stations.
AS MUCH SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY AS POSSIBLE Integration of MVHR, ASHP/GSHP into consideration when designing as a whole system approach
RETOFIRST – RETROFITTING CAMPAIGN
Prioritizing retrofitting of existing buildings over their demolition - Almost 80% of housing that will exist in 2050 already exists
DECARBONISATION OF OUR EXISTING HOMES
On Schemes across Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire - We have opportunities and a moral responsibility to ensure that new housing meets the highest levels of performance and self-sustainable.
REDUCED EMBODIED CARBON TARGETS ON CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Using sustainable technologies such as Durisol Blocks to construct - This is achievable, items such as Fabric, Heating, Orientation are all under our control.
CURRENT BUILDING REGULATIONS ARENT FIT FOR PURPOSE
Constructing multiple homes that barely meet current building regulations standards is no longer acceptable where EPC ratings of E and above are acceptable, We (the construction Industry, Clients and professionals) need to be aiming for much higher EPC ratings in construction of new buildings. Acknowledging the performance gap (from designed to constructed) that many properties hold
OUR PRINCIPLES
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To Enhance and Conserve our Built Environment - The positive conservation of our historic built environment, through retrofitting existing buildings, with positive sustainable adaptations that will see our national heritage retained throughout the 21st Century.
To Improve housing quality and standards - Both quality of space and energy efficiency, around 78% of housing across rural Wales do not meet basic EPC ratings of C and above.
To decarbonise our construction Industry - The construction Industry contributes to around 40% of all carbon emissions with housing efficiency taking up 5% of the overall carbon Impact
To use Locally sustainable materials in construction - construction aims to use a minimum of 60% locally sourced materials on construction, reducing carbon emissions whilst supporting the local construction economy
2050 RETROFITTING PROGRAMME
PAS 2030/2035
LISTED BUILDING RETROFITTING
LB RETROFITTING ASSESSMENT
ZERO CARBON RETROFITTING
ZC RETROFITTING ASSESSMENT
