Herring, H (2009) National building stocks: Addressing energy consumption or decarbonization? Building Research & Information, 37(2), pp. 192-195. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
The Building Research Information special issue titled 'Climate Change: National Building Stocks' (2007) focused attention on the potential that the national building stock has in reducing CO2 emissions. However, can this potential be realized? To do so requires faith in energy models that suggest that demolition, new build, and the refurbishing of existing homes with insulation measures can deliver massive energy savings by 2050. But why, in the future, can there be increased efficiency and reduced consumption, when this has never occurred in the past? It is argued that the central weakness in the special issue papers is the neglect of the relationship between energy consumption and energy efficiency, and of the 'rebound effect'. The primary goal, should after all, be to reduce carbon emissions rather than energy use. Hence, emphasis should be placed on decarbonizing the centralized energy-supply systems. However, there will be a role here for micro-generation, building on the favourable image that energy efficiency has amongst the public. In 2050, we may be a low-carbon society, but I doubt we will be a low-energy one.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | building stocks; climate change; demolitions; energy consumption; energy efficiency; low carbon; policy measures; rebound effect |
| Index terms: | building research, low-carbon society, energy efficiency, efficiency, carbon emission, CO2 emissions, energy model, rebound effect, building stock, new build, low carbon, energy-saving, energy consumption, policy measure, consumption, energy use, climate change, insulation |
| Subjects: | energy systems, economic analysis, sustainability and energy, building materials, consumer economics, climate science, policy studies, air quality, research management, asset management, sustainability assessment, performance management, construction integration |
| Topics: | Design Practice, Quality Management, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Stakeholder Management, Governance, Sustainability |
| Descriptive scope: | 2 PC |
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