Aiming for zero carbon buildings 'counterproductive'
June 16, 2009
Speaking at a recent trade show, Dr David Strong, Chief Executive of sustainable buildings consultancy, Inbuilt, said that aiming for zero-carbon buildings may be counterproductive to the main target of reducing the carbon footprint of the built environment. He said: "It's great for political grand-standing and headlines, but nothing else."
Dr Strong pointed out that a radical rethink might be needed so that people are aware of the dangers and pitfalls of zero-carbon buildings. He focused on three distinct sets of issues, the first being the law of diminishing returns: "Are zero-carbon buildings the best way of delivering the biggest carbon bang for your buck?"
He pointed out that, while certain energy efficiency measures were clearly win-win situations, getting to the artificial goal of zero carbon was not always the most cost effective or best for the environment when savings could be made far more easily elsewhere.
Second, he looked at the law of unintended consequences. Unexpected problems can arise from trying to achieve zero-carbon buildings, such as summer overheating from insulation or draught-proofing buildings so well that the quality of the indoor air falls dramatically.
Third, Dr Strong pointed out that technical solutions may later go wrong owing to their complexity and that simplicity was often the best way.
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