The government has launched a consultation into proposals to introduce a national performance-based policy framework for rating the energy and carbon performance of large commercial and industrial buildings.
Commercial and industrial buildings have a key role to play in helping the UK achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The consultation sets out the government’s proposals to introduce a national performance-based policy framework for rating the energy and carbon performance of commercial and industrial buildings above 1,000m² in England and Wales, with annual ratings and mandatory disclosure as the first step.
Julie Hirigoyen, Chief Executive at UKGBC, said: “Energy use in our non-domestic buildings remains stubbornly high. We therefore welcome the Government’s proposal to emulate the Australian NABERS scheme and introduce performance-based ratings for commercial and industrial buildings. NABERS has meant that commercial buildings in Melbourne are now between two and four times as efficient as their London equivalents.
“However, one key element of the Australian scheme is missing from today’s proposals – a commitment that central and local government will only occupy buildings with a high rating. Making that commitment would send a clear message to the market that lower-rated buildings must improve or risk being unlettable.
“We also welcome today’s confirmation that by 2030 no non-domestic building can be let that doesn’t meet a high energy efficiency rating (EPC B). But proposals for improving enforcement fall short of what’s needed to signal to unwilling landlords that non-compliance is no longer an option. We need a national landlord register and seed-funding for cash-strapped local authorities to help them ratchet up enforcement activity.”
The Government’s proposed framework to improve implementation and enforcement of the EPC B target by 2030 for privately rented non-domestic buildings can be found here.
RIBA President, Alan Jones, said it has long called for performance-based ratings for buildings, so he strongly welcome this move towards measuring actual energy use.
"But
by only applying to large scale commercial and industrial developments,
today’s proposals have unnecessary limitations," he added. "To ensure all buildings
are fit for the future, the Government must look to extend the scope of
this critical requirement.”
