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Building a Sustainable Future: Transforming Towards a Low-Carbon Economy

Explore the urgent need to transition to a low-carbon economy to combat global warming and preserve the environment. Discover the impact of carbon emissions, the evidence of climate change, and the role of sustainable practices in shaping the economy. Delve into key considerations in strategic decision-making, green stimulus spending, and the vital role of the construction industry in promoting sustainability. Uncover challenges and opportunities in achieving zero carbon goals for buildings and infrastructure, along with the importance of skills development and innovation in driving change towards a greener future.

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Building a Sustainable Future: Transforming Towards a Low-Carbon Economy

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  1. Delivering a Low Carbon Economy Keith Clarke Chairman Construction Industry Council

  2. From this… Corporate Social Responsibility How many dead polar bears does it take to change a light bulb? If you haven’t replaced all your incandescent bulbs with Compact Fluorescents, you’re contributing toGlobal Warming and driving Polar Bears toward extinction. Ban the Bulb!

  3. Source: International Panel on Climate Change Climate change • What is the evidence? • In 1750 the Earth’s atmosphere had 280 parts per million of CO2 • By 2005 the levels had increased to 379 ppm of CO2 and the Earth’s temperature had risen by 0.76 degrees. • By 2100, the Earth’s temperature may rise by 2-4.5 degrees and sea levels may rise by 0.18 to 0.59 metres. • HUMAN CAUSE IS UNEQUIVOCAL

  4. To this… a realisation of danger 2°C ?

  5. And this… A fundamental part of the economy Green stimulus spending (USD billion) Energy efficiency32% Breakdown of U.S. Green stimulus spending Renewables 23% LowCarbon5% Rail9% Grid11% Water waste 14% Source HSBC 2009

  6. Look who’s talking now…

  7. Some issues remain… • SAFETY in construction • HEALTH of site workers • DIVERSITY in professionals

  8. Carbon Budget

  9. Strategic decision making • Reviewing strategic investment decisions on the basis of carbon? • When would carbon intensityover-ride cost? • Can we guide capital investmentand operational budgets? • Capital premium for long-term lowenergy consumption? • Pay-back periods and discount rates? Bahrain World Trade Center, opened in 2008

  10. 20:20 hindsight would be great • What are the risks? • Climate change uncertainty means uncertaintyfor any design specification • Legal action if infrastructure fails? • Code evolvement • Zero new carbon homes by 2016 • Zero carbon new non-domestic buildings by 2019 • Can codes change fast enough? • Skills development, knowledge transfer, tools

  11. Can we predict what will happen? • Shorter design life? • Infrastructure / buildings, e.g. London 2012 Games has 100+ non-permanent structures • Standards & materials will change? • Recyclable / reusable • Built Environment professionals need to be ≥3 years ahead of society • In old money that’s ≥6 years…

  12. "If you really want to change the world - choose a career in engineering. And I mean real engineering,not financial engineering” Engineers can solve the challenges of carbon reduction Rt. Hon. Lord Mandelson, 24 Nov 2008

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