on this page
-
Markets
Buildings & places
-
Location
UK Europe
Annabel Thorne
Head of Sustainability, London contact form
Reducing carbon emissions from buildings is an urgent priority if the UK is to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 or earlier, says Annabel Thorne
These issues have been at the forefront of my recent work on climate change adaptation with the Department for Education and CIBSE School Design Group, which I presented at the CIBSE Build2Perform event in November 2019. The project seeks to improve our understanding of the risks of higher summer temperatures on the school building stock, through the use of environmental monitoring and computer modelling.
Climate change means that temperatures in 30-50 years’ time will be different from today, and the Met Office predicts that summer heatwaves like those experienced recently may become the norm by 2050. The increased risk of overheating will impact comfort and productivity and have implications for the long-term maintenance and lifecycle of buildings.
Decarbonising schools
Our work on schools will examine the most efficient and cost-effective adaptation options, and how we can integrate these into the design of future schools. This is just one example of AtkinsRéalis' experience of working with public and private sector clients to deliver change projects. Undoubtedly there are challenges.
Challenges
Many businesses, regardless of sector, lack the necessary data relating to their estates and may not have a sufficient understanding of the current condition of their assets – this is a barrier to effective planning for emissions reductions. Maintenance backlogs are common in an under-resourced estate and the installation of modern technology can seem less of a priority. Although a range of funding mechanisms are available for the introduction of emissions reduction measures, successfully accessing these and calculating any associated payback criteria can be confusing. We frequently support clients with all these issues.
Delivering solutions
Our team understands the drivers and constraints large portfolio holders face, and the levers by which we can steer successful project outcomes. To adapt buildings to climate change, we can encourage behavioral change in the way occupants use buildings, we can review management and operational practices to reduce risks and we can invest in improvements to the building and its microclimate. Ideally these considerations should be explored at a portfolio level, and then at individual asset level where variables, such as location, different building types and local operations can be included.
Preparing buildings for net zero and a wider UK energy systems transition requires a strategic approach, informed by a detailed understanding of an organization's building assets and the latest technology innovations and policy developments. But technological solutions to the climate emergency are just one part of the puzzle. The pace and cost of delivery needed are among the biggest hurdles to realizing the scale of change needed by 2050.
Find out more
The complexities we face in developing a response to the climate emergency can feel daunting. We will need to embrace new models of working to thrive in a carbon-constrained world. Our Strategic Asset Management team has the experience and capability to support you in finding the way forward.
Please note that you are now leaving the AtkinsRéalis website (legal name: AtkinsRéalis Group inc.) and entering a website maintained by a third party (the "External Website") and that you do so at your own risk.
AtkinsRéalis has no control over the External Website, any data or other content contained therein or any additional linked websites. The link to the External Website is provided for convenience purposes only. By clicking "Accept" you acknowledge and agree that AtkinsRéalis is not responsible, and does not accept or assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever for the data protection policy, the content, the data or the technical operation of the External Website and/or any linked websites and that AtkinsRéalis is not liable for the terms and conditions (or terms of use) of the External Website. Further, you acknowledge and agree that you assume all risks resulting from entering and/or using the External Website and/or any linked websites.
BY ENTERING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE, YOU ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT YOU COMPLETELY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS AND CLAIMS AGAINST ATKINSRÉALIS, AND RELEASE, DISCHARGE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS ATKINSRÉALIS, ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS AND AGENTS FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LIABILITY FOR LOSS, DAMAGES, EXPENSES AND COSTS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH ENTERING AND/OR USING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND/OR ANY LINKED WEBSITES AND ANY DATA AND/OR CONTENT CONTAINED THEREIN.
Such waiver and release specifically includes, without limitation, any and all rights and claims pertaining to reliance on the data or content of the External Website, or claims pertaining to the processing of personal data, including but not limited to any rights under any applicable data protection statute. You also recognize by clicking “Accept” that the terms of this disclaimer are reasonable.
The information provided by Virtua Research cited herein is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind. Use of any Virtua Research data is at a user’s own risk and Virtua Research disclaims any liability for use of the Virtua Research data. Although the information is obtained or compiled from reliable sources Virtua Research neither can nor does guarantee or make any representation or warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, validity, sequence, timeliness, completeness or continued availability of any information or data, including third-party content, made available herein. In no event shall Virtua Research be liable for any decision made or action or inaction taken in reliance on any information or data, including third-party content. Virtua Research further explicitly disclaims, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
The consensus estimate provided by Virtua Research is based on estimates, forecasts and predictions made by third party financial analysts, as described above. It is not prepared based on information provided by AtkinsRéalis and can only be seen as a consensus view on AtkinsRéalis' possible future results from an outside perspective. AtkinsRéalis has not provided input on these forecasts, except by referring to past publicly disclosed information. AtkinsRéalis does not accept any responsibility for the quality or accuracy of any individual or average of forecasts or estimates. This web page contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by third parties. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between AtkinsRéalis' actual future results, financial situation, development or performance, and the estimates given here.
Downloads
Trade releases