Page 57 - Respond 2014 | RTCC Publications

rtcc respond

Green BuildinGs

For so many years the green movement has approached
the international climate negotiations with a mixture of
both hope and fear. Sadly, in recent years it has been the
latter emotion which has tended to win out

I think the lack of progress in putting in place a global, legally binding successor to National and local governments, community groups and
Kyoto is largely attributable to an entrenched perception that carbon reductions have the private sector are increasingly coming to recognise
to come at the expense of economic growth. However, that couldn’t really be further that green, low impact buildings offer not just carbon
from the truth, and the built environment is by far and away the best example of a mitigation potential, but healthier, more productive
win-win-win outcome. places to live and work, and global economic growth
opportunities. With inspirational projects coming thick
Globally, buildings are responsible for 30 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, not and fast, the question should not be can we afford to do
to mention 25 per cent of fresh water use and almost half of all raw materials. But this - but can we afford not to?
buildings represent the most cost effective way to mitigate carbon, whether through the
construction of new, nearly zero energy buildings, or the retroft of the existing stock. Paul King, Chief Executive,
UK Green Building Council
www.ukgbc.org

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