Table 11: CO2 Reduction Measures Modelled for Built Infrastructure Annual Saving Assumptions by 2050 (MtCO2) Renewable As above. 0.71 30% renewable electricity electricity by 2020, 50% strategy by 2050. 100% renewable As above. 0.65 95% renewable grid electricity mix by 2030, 100% renewable by 2050. Assuming the successful development of balancing technologies with sufficient capacity to allow this. Strategic This measure represents a reduction in construction 2.32 5% reduction across all planning to activity but an increase in refurbishment activity sectors reduce need by making better use of existing buildings and 40% reduction in water for new infrastructure. According to the Urban Task Force in line with reduced infrastructure report there are 4,500 hectares of land in the consumption UK occupied by vacant commercial buildings70. 50% reduction in These should be refurbished and utilised wherever investment in roads, possible. airports, valuables, retail A reduction in the consumption of certain goods and motor vehicles. can lead to a reduced need for factories and new Investment in rail and retail premises, although maintenance of existing electricity infrastructure premises should continue. is doubled This measure assumes no further expansion of Investment in gas is airports or motorways but maintenance continues partially transferred to of existing facilities in these categories continues. allow for investment in installation of district heating systems. Overall, 20% reduction by 2030. 71 0.78 10% saving of embodied Low impact The BedZED Construction Materials Report CO2 through low impact materials showed how by choosing low impact materials and material choices by 2020. low impact components carefully, embodied CO2 emissions can be reduced significantly. Savings can generally be made through choosing to use less concrete, less cement, less uPVC and more timber. These savings can be achieved not only by simple choice of materials but also by lean, efficient design (e.g. pre-stressed concrete uses less concrete to do the same job), or prefabricated components can result in less wastage.
Measure
CAPITAL CONSUMPTION
Description
55