UK-GBC launches task group

The UK Green Building Council has launched a new task group to help solve the problem of energy-hungry non-domestic property. It is bringing together experts from across the building and property industry to tackle the issues surrounding it.

Non-domestic buildings are responsible for about 17 percent of all UK carbon emissions. The Carbon Trust says this could be reduced by 75 percent at no net cost. The task group of about 30 will make detailed recommendations in March on how to mandate Display Energy Certificates (DECs) for all commercial buildings and how to improve the Carbon Reduction Commitment. The group is sponsored by British Land and Cundall and government officials have been invited to act as observers on the group.

Justin Snoxall, head of business group, at British Land, said there was a window of opportunity to both simplify the Carbon Reduction Commitment and progress thinking on ways to encourage greater environmental collaboration between building owners, occupiers and building management. “This collaboration is starting to happen in the industry, but improvements to the regulatory regime could make this the norm rather than the exception.”