Sustainability’s three principal dimensions versus Climate Change Act 2008: A retrospective numerical modelling

Getvoldsen, K S; Chandragiri, A K; Khalafallah, A M; Belizaire, M; Weirs, J; Raheem, H M J; Gerges, M and Butt, T E (2024) Sustainability’s three principal dimensions versus Climate Change Act 2008: A retrospective numerical modelling. Construction Economics and Building, 24(3), pp. 5-22. ISSN 2204-9029

Abstract

Sustainability continues to be a key field of study, encapsulating three principal dimensions: social, economic and environmental, which are also found within the context of climate change. However, there appears to be limited literature drawing upon the between sustainability and climate change. relationship, particularly in connection to carbon emissions and energy management. These issues have already been the subject of legislation in different countries, though still, predominantly individually rather than from an integrated perspective. The Climate Change Act (2008) provides a platform through which the relationship between sustainability and climate change can be considered. This paper establishes this relationship aspects of this relationship by employing the increased use of insulation within the UK housing stock to contribute to achieving the carbon reduction set by the Act. Taking a retrospective view through theoretical numerical modelling, this paper demonstrates that CO2 reductions were achievable. The results demonstrate that links can be drawn between sustainability and climate change and identifies that significant CO2 savings, through robust energy management of the UK housing stock, these results can be achieved. It is also suggested that the theoretical mole developed can be reproduced to consider climate change targets and provide benchmarks, not only in the UK but in other countries.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: carbon emissions; Climate Change Act 2008; energy efficiency; energy management; sustainable development
Index terms: climate change, insulation, energy management, dimension, modelling, carbon emission, carbon reduction, platform, CO2 emissions, energy efficiency, legislation, savings, drawing, housing stock, sustainable development
Subjects: digital design, health safety and environment, industry analysis, climate science, building materials, sustainability and energy, technical documentation, analytical methods, economic analysis, health monitoring assessment and metrics, legal systems
Topics: Digital Applications, Design Practice, Legal Issues, Sustainability, Engineering Principles, Health and Safety, Business Strategy
Descriptive scope: 2 PC

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