Proposals for all new buildings to be fitted with climate-friendly alternatives to fossil fuel heating systems have been published.
The New Building Heat Standard (Part II) consultation sets out plans that would mean direct emissions heating systems (DEH), such as those run on fossil fuel, would no longer be installed in any homes and non-domestic buildings warranted from April 2024. They would be replaced by alternatives such as heat pumps, solar and electric energy.
To launch the consultation, Zero Carbon Buildings Minister Patrick Harvie visited Saughton Park and Gardens in Edinburgh, where two ground source heat pumps provide the buildings’ heat.
Mr Harvie said: “Scotland’s homes and buildings account for approximately a fifth of all our emissions, and we know that we need to take bold, ambitious steps to ensure we meet our climate obligations.
“New buildings will lead the way in cutting emissions, and earlier this year we published new energy standards that will cut emissions of all new-build homes by nearly a third.
“The proposed regulations are another major change to achieve our climate targets and make our homes and buildings warmer, greener and cheaper to run.
“We have been working with industry to inform the development of the proposed new regulations and I would urge individuals and organisations to share their views to help shape and inform their delivery.”
New homes launches in Edinburgh & Leeds target zero carbon city living
Niche housebuilder Artisan Real Estate has raised the bar for sustainable development with the launch of an ambitious design framework geared to achieving low to zero carbon city living.
The developer will now incorporate a set of rigorous guiding principles throughout the development cycle, governing both its environmental and social responsibility whilst responding to the changing requirements of home buyers and local communities across the UK.
Artisan is now applying the new design framework new residential developments in key UK regional centres – including Rowanbank Gardens in Corstorphine, Edinburgh and Kirkstall Place in Leeds.
The new framework will help define future development locations, with Artisan committing to the concept of ’15-minute neighbourhoods’ in primarily brownfield city centre areas. It also sets out a radical blueprint for smart building design and the use of innovative technology to reduce energy usage and promote sustainable and community-focused low carbon living.
“The environmental challenges which have been laid bare during COP 26 has accelerated the importance of changing the way we deliver new homes development,” explains Clive Wilding, Artisan’s Property Director.
“Artisan is a niche developer which has always striven for improvement by creating a lower carbon footprint in the homes and buildings we create – not just in delivery but throughout their multi-generational lifespan.
As well as reducing urban sprawl by optimising the number of people living in well-designed, sustainable homes in well-connected locations served by public transport, we are also pioneering the application of new technology to eliminate the use of fossil fuels whilst vastly reducing energy consumption.”
This design philosophy is being applied to two of Artisan’s soon-to-be launched regional developments – the 126 apartment Rowanbank Gardens in Corstorphine, Edinburgh and 263 new homes at Kirkstall Place in Leeds.
An innovative approach to placemaking and community has been matched with smart, energy-efficient building design geared to achieving low to zero carbon developments – with an open and landscaped environment set to benefit general health and well-being.
With no fossil fuels being used and both heating and hot water delivered through individual air source heat pumps, the developments provide smart energy-efficient design geared to achieving low to zero carbon ratings – with the added benefits of lower home-running costs.
Corstorphine’sRowanbank Gardens (top) in particular has been designed to respond to the rapidly changing requirements of home buyers and the wider community post pandemic.
Apartments have been designed around an internal courtyard garden filled with fruit trees and communal planting beds and as well as a natural woodland area and play areas. And innovations such as green roofs ensure benefits of surface water retention, improved insulation whilst encouraging ecological biodiversity.
Clive Wilding continues: “Rowanbank Gardens in Edinburgh is a perfect showcase for the quality of sustainable development that Artisan is now committed to. At its heart is a sustainable design which reflects the demands of modern life, with buildings designed to minimise carbon footprint and maximise daylight.
“Significant emphasis is also placed on the quality of internal space and light to create enjoyable home-working environments, whilst accessible gardens and landscaping promote health and well-being by making nature and well-designed outdoor space integral to the day-to-day living experience.
He adds: “With Artisan’s Kirkstall Place development in Leeds, we are providing 263 family homes with large amounts of external space, providing a wide range of biodiversity. All the homes have been designed to meet our low carbon, non-fossil fuel standards.”
Artisan is perhaps best known for large-scale city regeneration projects like the award-winning New Waverley, which has transformed the heart of Edinburgh’s historic Old Town. The developer is now applying the same values and philosophy which has guided the successful design and execution of New Waverley to its residential developments, setting it apart from other major UK homebuilders.
“Remaining true to our urban regeneration credentials, at the heart of all Artisan’s developments is building a strong sense of place,” continues Clive Wilding. “We are specialising in niche urban developments in the most exciting parts of the city centre, creating a high-value premium product for a wide range of homebuyers, including young professionals, families and downsizers.
“Artisan now has an opportunity set a new benchmark for high quality urban regeneration in sensitive city-centre environments – whether it be commercial, residential or mixed-use. Our track record across the UK has given us a strong understanding of the importance of high quality placemaking, which is at the heart of all Artisan’s developments.”
For more information on Artisan’s commitment to sustainable development across the UK visit: www.artisanrealestate.co.uk
– Commitment to be achieved by 2030, five years ahead of other supermarkets –
– Morrisons to launch ‘zero emission’ eggs in 2022 and beef by 2025 –
Morrisons has pledged to become the first supermarket to be completely supplied by ‘zero emission’ British farms by 2030 – five years ahead of the industry. The move comes after customers said they wanted their food to be as low emission and ‘green’ as possible.
Agriculture currently accounts for 10 per cent of all UK greenhouse gas emissions, with new research revealing that two thirds of people are considering the environmental impact of the food they eat[2].
Morrisons is UK farming’s biggest customer and will work directly with its farmers to create affordable zero emission produce. The first to hit shelves will be zero emission eggs by 2022, with lamb, fruit, vegetables, pork and beef following before the end of 2025.
Beef farming is the most challenging product to make greener as it currently generates 45 per cent of all UK agricultural carbon[3] emissions for only five per cent of products sold. Almost half of this is due to methane produced by the cows. Morrisons is working closely with its farms to create a zero emission beef range by 2025 by using smaller cattle breeds, low-methane feed, methane reducing supplements (such as seaweed), and by planting trees.
The National Farmers Union has asked farmers to work towards a 2040 ‘net zero’ emissions goal, with other supermarkets working towards 2035. British farming’s biggest supermarket customer, Morrisons, will work alongside its 3,000 farmers and growers to achieve this target five years earlier, in 2030.
Morrisons and a selection of its farmers are this month starting work on zero emissions ‘farm models’ that will look at the complete journey of meat and crops from germination to leaving the farm. They will serve as a blueprint – and be rolled out across all Morrisons farms to produce all food in this zero emissions way.
The models will look at reducing carbon by: rearing different animal breeds; using low food-mile feedstuffs; using renewable energy and low emission barns; and cutting water and fertiliser use. Offsetting carbon emissions will also be done by: planting grassland and clover; restoring peatland; planting trees[4]; and seeding hedgerows.
As part of the programme, Morrisons will set up the world’s first School of Sustainable Farming at Harper Adams Agricultural University to offer farming training for future generations.
The supermarket will also work with the NFU to pool farmer knowledge, Natural England on planting and water use, and will use industry experts to measure its schemes.
David Potts, Chief Executive of Morrisons, said: “Climate change is one of the biggest challenges for our generation and growing food is a key contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
“As British farming’s biggest supermarket customer, we’re in a unique position to guide our farms and help lead changes in environmental practices. It’s years ahead of industry expectations – and an ambitious target – but it’s our duty to do it.”
Environment Secretary, George Eustice MP, said:“The UK is the first major economy to legislate for net zero emissions by 2050. Our farmers will play a key role in achieving this.
“It is encouraging to see Morrisons commit to being supplied by net zero carbon British farms on such an ambitious timescale, helping to protect the environment for future generations.”
Morrisons UK agriculture target forms part of its plan to become ‘net zero’ for emissions by 2040, in line with the international Paris Agreement.
