The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today welcomed the government’s new Nationally Defined Contributions (NDC) target for UK emissions and the National Audit Office’s report on achieving net zero.
RIBA President, Alan Jones, said:
“It’s encouraging to see the government set out an ambitious new target to cut emissions by 68% by 2030. That ambition must now be turned into action.
With emissions from UK homes on the rise, the decarbonisation of our housing stock will be fundamental to achieving the new target. As the RIBA's latest report outlines, embarking on a National Retrofit Strategy and introducing a sliding scale for stamp duty where the most efficient homes pay less than the least will be critical.
I also welcome today’s NAO report which highlights our shared concern about the coordination between government departments when it comes to driving forward energy efficiency policies. To ensure an adequately funded HM Treasury must take the lead – it’s time to make this a national infrastructure priority. While we echo the NAO’s call to the government to lead by example and reduce their own emissions, it’s disappointing to see no mention of the significance of undertaking Post Occupancy Evaluation – something we have been urging the government to commit to on all publicly funded buildings.
To reach this target, and net zero by 2050, we urgently need an adequately-funded National Retrofit Strategy and commitment to understanding how well or poorly all buildings actually perform”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- Press contact: Abigail.Chiswell-White@riba.org or +44 (0) 20 7307 3811.
- The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a global professional membership body that serves its members and society in order to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment. Follow @RIBA on Twitter for regular updates.
