10 years on from the Climate Change Act: how has the construction industry responded?

By David Leonard2019-01-24T06:00:00

Emissions from buildings have remained flat, but there are signs of refreshed commitment from government, says BRE’s David Leonard

The UK became the first country to introduce a legally binding framework for tackling climate change when The Climate Change Act received royal assent on 26 November 2008. The Act commits the UK to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050 compared with 1990 levels.

So, what progress has been achieved in 10 years? Let’s start with the good news – as a country, we’re on track. Measured from 1990, emissions have now fallen by 43%, over a period when the economy grew by over 70%. This is the most substantial emissions reduction in the G7, over a period when economic growth was above the G7 average.

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