Policy Hub
On 14 April 2009, the Economic and Social Research Council and the Technology Strategy Board published a report (How people use and 'misuse' buildings) which highlights the importance of improving the energy efficiency of millions of UK buildings that will still be standing in 2050.
The report notes that 27% of UK carbon emissions come from domestic buildings - twice the emissions produced by commercial and public buildings and five times those of industrial buildings.
Although targets have been set for all new homes to be zero carbon by 2016, the report suggests that existing buildings will need to be radically refurbished if the UK is to meet its national and international emissions targets. According to the report, virtually all 24 million existing buildings in the UK will need some attention to reduce their emissions by just 40%.
However, refurbishment is only part of the answer. The effectiveness of energy-saving technologies, such as digital heat controls and meters, ultimately depends on human behaviour. The report contends that the occupants of buildings do not always understand or use these devices in the way their designers intended. Such concerns will need to be addressed if agreed reductions are to be met.