Building Show Blog - The Lead up to COP28
This year marks the halfway point between the beginning of the Paris Agreement and the 2030 targets set. COP28 could not have come at a more president time to discuss how we are getting on and what we need to do to reach these goals, amping up the progress that the global stocktake should be well under way in achieving. So, what does this COP event need to achieve? Accountability. The world needs to move away from discussing global politics and instead we need collaboration to help the interconnected world create solutions to decarbonise our planet.
To reach the goals set for 2030 we need to half our carbon consumption by tripling our renewable energy reliance. However, the best way to cut down on our emissions is to reduce our energy consumption. This race to net zero is generating conversations with many non-believers in the industry, but what we must remember is that these non-renewable energy sources are finite and will run out one day so regardless of opinions new solutions must be created to generate energy. With the increasing usage of renewable sources comes drawbacks, with the limited space to be able to be generate energy. The world is increasingly moving to electric cars, electricity will not suspend the emissions we need to cut them, and the world needs to move away from a vehicle fleet and needs to be encouraged to use more low carbon transportation such as walking, cycling, and using public transportation. HVO needs to be invested in to fully understand if this solution is beneficial as it is said to cut down on 90% of carbon emissions compared to diesel.
Sourced from London Build Expo 2024
How do we achieve net zero? We need to measure, analyse, and deploy solutions to create this pathway to be able to reach these goals set by all the NDCs. We need to ensure that we will not be repeating history like we have done in the past. For example, how we moved from using paper to plastic to save our trees, but we are now moving from plastic to paper to save our oceans, will this not just create the same problem for our future generations? A one size fit all solution will not work for our planet to achieve net zero and we need to investigate our circular economy so that we are responsibly sourcing from the very beginning to the end of supply chains. Before our construction projects begin, we need to start repurposing buildings instead of tearing them down and use retrofitting to interconnect buildings. This all begins in the design stage; we need to begin enforcing decarbonisation in the designing stage of buildings and include energy saving software such as installing systems like our intelligent building systems.
Implementing a SMART building system rapidly reduces emissions, with a potential to save between 10-25% of energy. As well as quickly using the transparent data we collect to disclose where in the building is using energy presented clearly. We can analyse that data to improve future design and so with this we can reach performance ratings of buildings for future-proofing designs. Further, these systems have help to people, health, and wellbeing as we can track and control environmental health factors to create healthier and safer spaces.