Sustainable Design - Tools and Guidance
Low Carbon Buildings ProgrammeThe DTI have launched a new grant programme for on-site renewables called the Low Carbon Buildings Programme. This programme will provide grants for technologies to householders, community organisations, schools, the public and not for profit sector and private businesses.
Towards Zero Carbon Developments
Produced by the London Energy Partnership gives advice on how the boroughs help to meet the target set in the Mayor's Energy Strategy and referred to in the London Plan to have a zero- carbon development in their borough by 2010.
Towards Zero Carbon Housing - Lessons from Northern Europe
Coordinated by CIRIA, this DTI Global Watch Mission studied approaches to the reduction of fossil fuel energy use and associated emissions in Denmark, Sweden and Germany, with a view to informing and influencing future housing design and energy systems in the UK.
Schools for the Future: Design of Sustainable Schools: case studies
Particularly aimed at expert professionals such as designers and local authority clients, this guide covers case studies of new build schools and also addresses refurbishment of existing schools, as many sustainability techniques used in the design of new schools can be applied to existing schools.
Code for Sustainable Homes
On 13 December 2006, the Code for Sustainable Homes was launched.
The Code is the national standard for the sustainable design and construction of new homes. It is a voluntary star rating system that shows the sustainability of a new home as a complete package.
DQI
The Design Quality Indicator (DQITM) is a pioneering process for evaluating design quality of buildings, it can be used by everyone involved the development process to contribute to improving the quality of our built environment.
Design for Minimum Waste
The ‘Building- In Sustainability' website gives advice on how to ensure waste is considered at the design stage of the development and throughout the building's life.
Building a Greener Future - Towards Zero Carbon Development
This publication is a consultation document seeking views on the Government's proposals to reduce the carbon footprint of new housing development. It sets out the Government's views on the importance of moving towards zero carbon in new housing.
Government Definition of a Zero Carbon Home
A zero carbon home is one with ‘zero net emissions of Carbon Dioxide (CO²) from all energy use in the home'. The definition encompasses all energy use in the home (including energy for cooking, TVs, computers and other appliances) rather than just those energy uses that are currently part of building regulations (space heating, hot water, ventilation and some lighting). It means that over a year there are no net carbon emissions resulting from the operation of the dwelling. This could be achieved either through steps taken at the individual dwelling level or through site wide strategies. So it will not be necessary for each dwelling to have its own microgeneration capacity where development level solutions would be more appropriate. A low carbon development is one that achieves a reduction in carbon emissions of 50 per cent or more from energy use on site, on an annual basis.