Agenda item

            Dr Cox attended in connection with this item and was welcomed by the Chairperson.

            The Committee was provided with an overview of embodied carbon in the context of the construction of buildings. Dr Cox reported that embodied carbon was used from the extraction of materials, operation and refurbishment of buildings culminating in the end of life and demolition process.

            The Members were provided with a timeline in connection with each stage of a building’s life cycle, including details of the carbon emissions associated with each stage of that process. The Committee was informed that embodied carbon represents approximately fifty percent of the total carbon associated with the life cycle of a building and that globally embodied carbon represents approximately eleven per cent of greenhouse gas emissions associated with new construction.

            Dr Cox reported that the World Green Building Council suggested that by 2030, new buildings, infrastructure and renovations to buildings will have approximately forty per cent less embodied carbon with significant up-front carbon reduction and that all new buildings would be required to have net-zero operational carbon.

            The Members were informed that currently there were numerous methods used to measure embodied carbon stating that the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) had set out a detailed methodology to calculate whole life carbon from the early design stage through to the project design and project completion. Dr Cox reported that the built environment data base was being used to collect data on carbon emissions and stated that professional bodies were being requested to use the database to estimate the carbon produced in connection with potential development projects and for that data to be shared with other professionals to heighten awareness around embodied carbon.

            The Committee was informed that embodied carbon targets were being put in place across Europe to evaluate and reduce embodied carbon. Dr Cox reported that there are a number of targets that could be considered which are targeted at different parts of the building. She stated that it was ambition for buildings to reach an A++ rating by 2050.

            Dr Cox emphasised the importance attached to measurement in regard to embodied carbon and the increased use made of recycled materials in the construction process. She referred also to the opportunity to re-purpose existing buildings and of the need to optimise the design of buildings in reducing embodied carbon.

            The Committee was provided with opportunities for the Council to show leadership in this field. Dr Cox referred to the current committed capital programme currently £300 million and the possibilities to calculate and set targets for its embodied carbon production. She referred to opportunities to substitute timber for steel and make use of less virgin materials. The Belfast Stories project was highlighted as a possible development proposal which could be considered for its embodied carbon assessment.

            A further area for consideration was the current building control regulation and Council planning policy manifesting in the Belfast Local Development Plan. A reduction in the demolition of building was highlighted as a further area for consideration and the opportunity to re-configure building design allied to modifying the current use of buildings.

            A Member referred to the opportunity for the Council to become a civic leader in the area of embodied carbon reduction to make greater use of recycled materials and of the need to publish its results.

            The Climate Commissioner confirmed that the Council was exploring ways to measure embodied carbon as part of its draft local development plan and was engaging constructively with the Department of Physical Programmes as part of that process.

            A Member asked a further question in regard to liaising with developers in regard to exploring re-use of existing buildings as opposed to demolition and a preference for new build construction. Dr Cox highlighted the need to raise awareness of carbon calculation and the benefits associated with more simplified building design features.

            Dr Cox stated that it was important that developers were encouraged to consider embedded carbon as part of their industry standard specification. A Member suggested that the Council might wish to consider how other local authorities, including Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds had approached the problem of reducing embedded carbon.

            The Climate Commissioner stated that she would report back to the Committee after consultation with other UK authorities and on the measures under consideration to manage embedded carbon as part of the Belfast Stories development project. The Climate Commissioner agreed also to consult with the Department of Physical Programmes requesting that they work in partnership with Queens University Belfast (QUB) to explore ways in which the Council could reduce its embedded carbon footprint as part of its future capital development programme.

            The Committee noted the contents of the presentation and the Chair, on behalf of the Committee, thanked Dr Cox for her detailed and informative presentation and she departed from the meeting.