The housing industry is at the forefront of the UK’s decarbonisation transition, with utilities and infrastructure integral to achieving net zero by 2050. Connectus Utilities’ net zero project manager Lee Ackerman discusses the key considerations to tackling the challenge.
The UK government is legally committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, driven by the Climate Change Act 2008. This involves a comprehensive strategy focused on decarbonising key sectors, particularly power, through a shift to renewable energy sources, and infrastructure.
Efforts also concentrate on improving building energy efficiency and transitioning to low-carbon heating, all supported by significant investment, innovation, and collaborative partnerships with industry and local authorities, while balancing these goals with energy security and affordability.
Housing requirements
Achieving the UK’s net-zero targets necessitates a substantial overhaul of housing energy efficiency, with a key focus from central government on elevating properties to EPC rating C or above. This involves enforcing the Future Homes Standard for all new properties, which aims to reduce carbon emissions by 75-80% compared to older homes.
In addition, there is a huge focus for local authorities and housing associations on upgrading existing stock, to help meet a higher EPC rating. There have been several initiatives to support this, such as the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (now known as Warm Homes), aimed at large scale renovation and retrofit schemes.
Smart meters and home automation technologies have also begun their rollout to empower residents to optimise energy consumption.
Achieving net zero targets will require a balanced approach that simultaneously addresses environmental imperatives, economic realities, and social equity. This means navigating the complex interplay between ambitious environmental goals and the crucial need for affordability and accessibility. Furthermore, a “just transition” is essential to safeguard vulnerable households from the potential burden of increased energy costs, ensuring that the shift towards sustainability is equitable and inclusive.
Green technology opportunities
A myriad of measures can be taken to accelerate carbon reduction from utilities, primarily through green technologies. For local authorities and housing associations, key steps include the commitment to building efficient homes. This should involve the integration of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, well-installed insulation, EV charging ports and air source heat pumps, as well as ensuring the building’s infrastructure is primed for the addition of further measures in the future.
There also has to be consideration for the materials and methods used during the construction phases. Having an electric power source is a key measure – both in terms of temporary power to site during the build, and in operation. Yet, more remote sites require traditional, Diesel-operated generators, for example, which severely undermine sustainable developments, so procuring green energy contracts instead of brown contracts is another consideration.
Navigating infrastructure and planning limitations
Achieving net zero presents significant challenges locally, particularly considering the limitations of current utility infrastructure. Outdated substations and rising demand for the National Grid mean it’s becoming more common for developers to have to connect several miles away to get the power required for their projects – a costly and disruptive process that the region cannot afford.
Similarly, the UK’s water infrastructure affects how much new build housing we can adequately provide without overwhelming networks, while the presence of lead piping and leaks from corrosion only exacerbate the problem for older commercial buildings being refurbished and repurposed.
These infrastructural issues carry an enormous cost, so while a local authority cannot tackle these hurdles alone, it is important for regions to identify where investment and digital tools are most urgently needed to support projects that will be instrumental in achieving carbon net zero.
Similarly, a more streamlined planning process is also vital for net zero goals by accelerating the deployment of renewable energy infrastructure and enabling necessary grid upgrades. Planning reforms can also promote sustainable development and remove barriers to innovative green technologies, ensuring projects crucial for emissions reduction are implemented efficiently.
Upskilling and education
Major upskilling of the sector is also essential to the UK reaching its goals, as there is a general skills shortage in construction. Not only are skilled workers required, but also, sustainably- conscious skilled workers are needed to achieve carbon neutrality in as little as three short years in some parts of the country, like Nottingham.
Where this isn’t possible, more collaboration is needed between developers, utility providers, local authorities, and other key stakeholders to achieve net zero goals. This feeds into businesses using ESG (environmental, social and governance) reports to accurately measure, evaluate and refine the steps being taken, ensuring that everyone is striving for the same net zero commitments.
Final thoughts
With net zero goals fast approaching, the question remains whether the challenges, education, funding and overall infrastructure to support the green technologies required in housing, is going to be enough to see those goals met.
However, with the right support, cross-industry collaboration and quick action, the UK housing industry has an opportunity to not only make significant strides towards net zero goals, but to create healthier, more resilient homes for the future.
As a UK-wide business that exists to support the housing industry on its journey to improving the sustainability of utilities and infrastructure provisions, Connectus Utilities welcomes this shift.
For more information, visit: https://connectus-utilities.co.uk/