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A redefinition of Zero Carbon
According to the UK Housing and Planning minister Margaret Beckett the meaning of ‘zero carbon’ now needs to be re-evaluated.
“We need a revolution in the ways in which we plan, design and construct our buildings.
“They currently account for nearly half of all our carbon emissions. If we could improve construction methods, the ways in which we heat, light and power our homes, then we would make huge strides towards our overall ambitions.”
So perhaps the suggestion is that we walk before we run, that we in the UK start small and become more efficient as a beginning. I’m not sure that necessitates a new definition of zero carbon, but appreciate that in light of the political goal of all new homes being ‘zero carbon’ by 2016 the politicians may want one.
To this site, Zero Carbon still remains Zero Carbon …
[a zero carbon building] must produce zero net emissions of carbon-dioxide over its lifetime. [zero carbon definitions]