Building sustainability on the road to net-zero
Russell Dean, Deputy Divisional Manager (Living Environment Systems)
| Mitsubishi Electric
Decarbonising buildings is one of the biggest challenges on the road to net-zero – Russell Dean at Mitsubishi Electric explores the crucial role of the government, industry and consumers in transforming the way we heat our buildings for a greener future.
Why we need to transition to more sustainable buildings
To achieve the UK's ambitious net-zero targets, we must transform how we heat our buildings, which produce a third of all carbon emissions in the UK. Together, residential and commercial properties account for around 40 per cent of energy use. If we can find ways to switch these buildings to renewable, low-carbon heating, we can lower overall consumption and help everyone reduce their carbon footprint.
Manufacturers, including Mitsubishi Electric, are well aware of the need to decarbonise properties. Its report on ‘Securing Net Zero’ shares how this can be achieved, the important role government has in leading the transition to more sustainable heating, and the golden opportunity for them to work with industry to overcome some of the existing barriers.
We know that tried and tested technology already exists to help, in the form of heat pumps, which can capitalise on the increased use of renewable power generation and a 'cleaner' grid.
Barriers to transitioning
However, there are four main barriers which need to be addressed if the government and industry can most effectively work together and achieve the right regulatory framework to increase understanding and awareness among consumers and businesses.
Firstly, the UK’s wholesale electricity price is far higher than gas prices, which is discouraging consumers and businesses from adopting heat pumps despite their environmental benefits.
The government should therefore look to rebalance levies and decouple the price of electricity from the price of gas, which makes it more expensive than gas. This would make sustainable heating more affordable, give certainty to industry, and promote energy security.
Secondly, buildings are still being constructed with outdated building standards and gas boilers, inhibiting future retrofitting.
This is where the Future Homes Standard is critical. It should stop gas boilers being installed in new-build houses, sending a powerful message that the UK is moving away from gas heating.
Doing so would also send a clear signal to the heating industry that the future lies in electrically powered technologies such as heat pumps, ensuring the workforce is confident that there is a thriving industry to support their future livelihood, increasing the number of people training to install heat pumps, and encouraging new engineers to seek ‘green’ jobs of the future.
Thirdly, while public support for government action on climate change is strong, there is still limited understanding that decarbonising heating is one of the most effective solutions.
The report calls on the government to create a national energy advice service to provide clear communications and drive awareness of environmentally friendly ways to heat buildings.
This would provide a central point of reference for homeowners and businesses to better understand the benefits of decarbonising their buildings and homes, and the options available to them.
And finally, the government needs to provide clarity on future financial support for adopting low-carbon technologies to ensure long-term certainty for both manufacturing and consumers.
This should include information on accreditation schemes and financial support, such as the Warm Homes Plan, and ongoing financial support for the Public Sector Decarbonisation Fund.
Mitsubishi Electric is ready to work alongside partners across the construction industry to increase engineer training and help raise public awareness around heat pumps. Yet the uncertainty in government funding and policy hinders long-term planning, investment in manufacturing, and the development of a skilled workforce
Putting in place the right policies now will allow us to accelerate the decarbonisation of both homes and commercial buildings and contribute significantly to reaching net-zero by 2050.
Russell Dean is Deputy Divisional Manager for Mitsubishi Electric, Living Environment Systems.
