Zero Carbon Buildings (ZCBs)

The Built Environment uses over 20% of the world's energy - most of which comes from fossils fuels. To have any serious chance of preventing catastrophic climate change on planet earth there must be plans put in place to reduce the impact of the built environment on CO2 levels.

The creation of Zero Carbon Buildings (ZCB's) is a seriously important step in that direction and there are 4 key components towards this goal.

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check_circleInsulate
check_circleDigitize
check_circleRenewables
check_circleEfficiency

Insulate

We heat and we cool our buildings day in day out across the world. Buildings leak out this hot and cold air meaning more must be produced at the cost of using more energy that creates CO2 emissions. If we can effectively insulate our buildings to keep in the heat and cool air we're producing, then we will need to use less power and create less CO2. Simple.

Digitize

All the energy use in buildings can be monitored and controlled digitally by smart meters. This allows not only the user greater control over usage but also the energy networks to plan more efficiently, and hence reduce energy wastage and reduce production of CO2. Buildings should digitize and use smart meters.

Choose Renewables

Wind, wave, tidal and of course solar power. These are power options that are out there and available for many buildings across the world. Choosing to power a building from renewables is an essential step towards becoming a ZCB. In the developed world most major energy suppliers offer renewable options, choose them.

Energy Efficiency

Our buildings are filled with machines that use energy like washing machines and air condition units. Using the most efficient appliance within our buildings can make a huge difference on how carbon neutral a building can be. Many manufacturers now supply energy efficiency ratings on their products - choose the best ones.