UKGBC's Net Zero Carbon Buildings and Infrastructure Explainer Guide

Knowing where to begin on the net zero journey can be a daunting task, with many authorities needing to focus on multiple sectors at the same time. To reduce the fear around taking the first step towards net zero, UKGBC recently released a Bitesize Learning Guide. These guides are a growing suite of introductory-level sustainability resources designed to build pan-industry knowledge and confidence on key sustainability topics. The pan-industry focus is an essential aspect of meeting net zero needs and decompressing the challenges to share best practices.

The UKGBC stated: “To empower all corners of the property and construction sectors to play their part in the net zero transition, UKGBC has developed these guides to demystify key carbon concepts and create a common language for nontechnical experts to confidently engage in sustainable building.”

Jargon-free language is the key to getting people on the net zero journey

Specifically written with clear, succinct and jargon-free language, the guides aim to kick-start sustainability learning in non-specialist teams. The first set of Explainer Guides covers Net Zero Carbon Buildings and Infrastructure, Scope 1, 2 & 3 Emissions, Operational & Embodied Carbon, Whole Life Carbon, Carbon Pricing and Renewable Energy.

Elfrida Hamilton-Russell, Director of Learning and Leadership at UKGBC, said: “At UKGBC, we understand that the climate and carbon agenda can seem complex. Whilst we have seen sustainability education grow in terms of interest, there are many people working in the Built Environment who seek support in getting started and require resources designed for those less well-versed in sustainability and carbon-related topics.”

With the UK’s ambitious 2050 net zero targets, it is vitally important that frameworks such as this are implemented to incentivise people to make the first leap. While policy and early funding come from the central government, it is ultimately in the hands of developers and housebuilders to implement better practices.

Information should be accessible to all

Accessible content is at the heart of giving the information needed to meet climate targets, especially in the built environment, which is responsible for 25% of the UK’s direct emissions.

The first of the explainer guides broke down key carbon concepts outlining how it is defined, their importance in tackling the climate crisis, how it relates to the built environment, and relevant resources to consolidate knowledge.

Defining net zero carbon for the construction industry is a complex topic, so it’s useful to get an overall understanding of the term net zero carbon. The report explained that it could be defined as: “The total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions would be equal to or less than the emissions the removed from the environment. This can be achieved by a combination of emission reduction and emission removal’ (ONS).”

Maximise emission reduction first

Within net zero, the approach is always to maximise emissions reduction first before offsetting the remainder. To apply this definition to built assets, UKGBC has worked to provide greater clarity by building industry consensus on a high-level definition titled Net Zero Carbon Buildings: A Framework Definition.

The framework also focuses on two further concepts of net zero buildings that can be readily measured and mitigated today – Net Zero Carbon Construction and Net Zero Carbon Operational Energy.

Net Zero Carbon - Construction was described as when: “The amount of carbon emissions associated with a building’s product and construction stages up to practical completion is zero or negative.”

Following on, Net Zero Carbon - Operational Energy was explained as: “When the amount of carbon emissions associated with the building’s operational energy on an annual basis is zero or negative.’

Through their website, they explained: “UKGBC’s Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap for the Built Environment illustrates that the UK Built Environment is currently responsible for 25% of total UK greenhouse gas emissions. If surface transport (vehicle emissions) is included within the scope of the built environment, the total share of UK emissions increases to 42%."

To meet this challenge, the World Green Building Council launched the global Advancing Net Zero campaign, which calls on businesses, organisations, cities, states and regions to ensure that all new buildings must be net zero operational carbon by 2030, with a 40% reduction in embodied carbon, and that all buildings (including existing) are net zero in both embodied and operational carbon by 2050. UKGBC also have a corresponding Advancing Net Zero campaign to further this work in the UK.

Top Ten Ways

AI can Improve Your CyberSecurity

The buzz around ChatGPT has dominated social media over recent months, with the AI chatbot looking to revolutionise companies' practices, but how could it directly help housing associations and Local Authorities improve their cybersecurity?

There are ten core principles for how ChatGPT, also known as the Generated Pre-trained Transformer, can improve cyber security. These methods include phishing detection, passphrase generation, malware detection, social engineering prevention, cyber incident response, and network security monitoring.

Additionally, it can be used to improve protection against Intrusion detection, vulnerability management, threat intelligence and compliance.

Phishing and cyber attacks can be reduced dramatically

Firstly, ChatGPT can be used to detect phishing attempts by analysing the language used in emails or other messages. It can look for patterns of language that are commonly used in phishing scams, such as urgent language or requests for personal information.

Secondly, ChatGPT can analyse the language used in emails and other internal and external messaging. By looking for patterns and language commonly used within typical phishing scams, it could reduce the levels of phishing attacks within associations.

Password breaches are a big issue in cyberattacks, with weak security being one of the biggest holes for attackers to target. ChatGPT can resolve this through its strong ability to generate strong, unique passphrases.

Malware is becoming more sophisticated as more associations and authorities look to digitalise its data and information. The AI tool can be used in a similar way that is used to detect phishing scams, analysing patterns of language such as instructions for installing malware and also social engineering attacks.

Authorities can be more proactive in detected attacks

Interestingly, ChatGPT can be used to better respond to cyber incidents and improve response times. This could save associations and authoirites thousands of pounds and minimise GDPR breaches etc. and can even be used to monitor networks for security threats, reducing the number of successful attacks.

With changing cybersecurity regulations coming from the central government, ChatGPT can play a crucial role in ensuring companies are complying with the most recent regulations by looking for patterns of language that are commonly associated with compliance violations.

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Mercure Holland House Hotel, Cardiff

11 July 2023