Abstract

Purpose: Using the new build residential sector in England as its basis, this study examines how climate change is being tackled, and analyses the practicality of implementing the current carbon dioxide and energy requirements proposed by UK legislation, sustainability codes, and local authority planning requirements.

Design/methodology: The paper outlines the current climate change facts, analyses the global, national, regional and local requirements for energy strategy and highlights the differences that have been found. The impact of different design strategies on achieving the various requirements is then modelled, using case study data.

Findings: The preliminary findings of this study show that there are many conflicts in the interpretation on the requirements at different levels and that the methods being used in the residen- tial sector in England to tackle climate change are fraught with problems. They also show that the current additional cost of a sustainable building is prohibitively high. In order to success- fully implement environmentally sustainable solutions, there is a need for clearer regulations, guidelines and definitions, and for significant incentives.

Practical implications and value of paper: The study highlights the difficulties of implementing the energy and carbon dioxide commitments using the UK as its basis and makes a number of recommendations to make the implementation successful and to overcome the existing barriers.