OVERVIEW

 Why should we design for carbon reduction?

 Key drivers and benefits
 How do we go about it?
 Achieving NetZero retrofit the Circular Economy way
 Measuring- Process flow
 Analysis - SWOT
 Heat Networks and District Heating

Why should we “design out” carbon? (Why should we design/retrofit for carbon reduction)??

The LAW!

UK Climate Change Act targets Net-Zero (100% carbon reduction) by 2050

https://tinyurl.com/nv562za5

KEY DRIVER-UK Infrastructure Carbon Review

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/infrastructure-carbon-review

“….. the UK is driving forward the delivery of new strategic infrastructure alongside the maintenance,
modernisation and renewal of existing assets… We must achieve this while contributing to national
reductions in carbon emissions, linked to the SDGs 7, 11 & 13.

The Government has no doubt that cutting carbon is fundamentally important to long term global
economic, social and environmental sustainability.

This report makes clear that reducing carbon reduces costs. It is part and parcel of saving materials,
reducing energy demand and delivering operational efficiencies.” This is a critical element to alleviating
fuel poverty.

Furthermore, pursuing a low carbon agenda stimulates innovation, making businesses more competitive not
only in their home markets but on the international stage too.

Other Drivers & Benefits

 Decarbonize heat & energy, reduce cost

 Improve energy efficiency
 Reduce waste
 Innovation
 Promote circular economy- more efficient material waste use
 Modularity- extend building lifespan
  Reduced risk of energy security
 Alleviate fuel poverty
 Occupancy well being
 Stakeholder/client demands and expectations

How do we go about it?

Achieving NetZero retrofit the Circular Economy way

The objective of this retrofit programme is to design-out carbon from the fabric of the dwelling and the
energy supply same,by maximizing the use of existing materials and resources, inadvertently reducing
waste, and minimizing the environmental impact of the retrofit.

Suggested strategies for implementing a circular economy

1. Green Homes Grants

2. Energy Efficiency Improvements
3. Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Integration
4. Water Conservation Measures
5. Waste Reduction and Recycling
6. Sustainable Material Selection
7. Building Envelope Improvements
8. Smart Building Technologies
9. Life Cycle Thinking and Design
10. Collaborative Consumption and Sharing Economy
11. Education and Behavioral Change

CARBON DESIGN OPTIONS

Building design, energy sources and equipment

• Passive approach to minimize operational energy use: orientation, natural and demand-responsive
systems for heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting; thermal mass for temperature regulation; green
roofs

• Pre-fabricated, low carbon, easy to mount wall insulation cladding, and green roof with solar panels.
Consider DfMA for adaptability and future proofing

• Energy- and water-efficient equipment, e.g., HVAC, IT, LED, sanitaryware – spec to the right level
needed

• Renewable energy sources: land / space for heat pumps, solar panels, CHP, etc

• Consider infrastructure and allow for future needs: provision of charging points for EV, ease of
maintenance access

• Design for Adaptation to a changing climate: SUDS, Green roofs and walls, greywater and rainwater
harvesting capability
Products, materials, maintenance and upgrade

• Switch to materials with lower carbon impacts, either the same material or a different material –
encourage innovation

• Increase reuse and the recycled content of materials – engage suppliers

• Eco-design to improve modularity, enable easier maintenance, repair and upgrade later in the asset’s
lifetime – DfMA.

• Use less material in absolute terms – work with design and procurement teams

• Reduce waste and promote circular economy – leaner processes

• Training on efficient ordering, storage and use of materials

• Pursue offsite production where possible: lower environmental impacts as well as output efficiency,
reduced safety risks

• Lean standardization thinking: modularize as far as possible

Behaviors and ease of use

• Building Management Systems – ease of control and adjustment to set at right levels

• Metering – half-hourly sub-meters to identify peak / hotspot loads to enable optimization and
reporting.

• Switches & sensors – to automate as far as possible and avoid undesired and unintended behaviours
and machine idling

• Training on how to use equipment efficiently

PROCESS FLOW

Circular Economy Reftrofit

1. Project Initiation:

 Define the project scope, goals, and objectives for the circular economy retrofit.

 Establish a project team and allocate roles and responsibilities.

 Secure necessary approvals and funding for the project.

2. Building Assessment and Audit:

 Conduct a thorough assessment and audit of the existing building and its systems to
identify areas for improvement.

 Evaluate energy consumption, waste generation, material usage, and other relevant
factors.

 Analyze the life cycle impact of the building and identify potential circular economy
opportunities.

3. Strategy Development:

 Develop a comprehensive circular economy retrofit strategy based on the findings from
the assessment.

 Set specific targets and performance indicators for energy efficiency, waste reduction,
and resource optimization.

 Prioritize retrofit measures based on their feasibility, environmental impact, and return
on investment.

4. Design and Planning:

 Engage architects, engineers, and other professionals to develop detailed retrofit

designs that incorporate circular economy principles.

 Consider strategies such as energy-efficient systems, renewable energy integration,

water conservation, and waste management.

 Ensure compliance with relevant building codes, regulations, and sustainability

standards.

5. Material Selection and Procurement:

 Identify and source sustainable and recycled materials for the retrofit project.

 Collaborate with suppliers and contractors to ensure the availability and proper
selection of environmentally friendly materials.

 Consider factors such as durability, recyclability, and life cycle impact in the material
procurement process.

6. Construction and Implementation:

 Execute the retrofit project according to the approved designs and plans.

 Coordinate with contractors and subcontractors to ensure proper installation of

sustainable systems and materials.

 Monitor the construction process to maintain quality standards and adherence to

sustainability requirements.
 7. Monitoring and Evaluation:

 Implement monitoring systems to track the performance of the retrofit measures.

 Measure and analyze energy consumption, waste generation, and resource usage to
assess the effectiveness of the circular economy retrofit.

 Use data to identify areas for improvement and optimization.

8. Stakeholder Engagement and Training:

 Educate and engage building occupants, facility managers, and other stakeholders about
the benefits and practices of circular economy retrofit.

 Provide training on energy-saving behaviors, waste management, and resource

optimization.

 Encourage stakeholder participation and collaboration in achieving the retrofit goals.

9. Maintenance and Continuous Improvement:

 Establish a regular maintenance schedule to ensure the ongoing performance of the

retrofit measures.

 Conduct periodic audits and assessments to identify opportunities for further

improvement and optimization.

 Continuously monitor industry advancements and emerging technologies to enhance

the circularity of the building over time.

10. Reporting and Communication:

 Prepare regular progress reports on the circular economy retrofit project.

 Communicate the achievements, benefits, and lessons learned to relevant stakeholders,

including building occupants, management, and external partners.

 Showcase the success of the retrofit project to inspire and encourage others to adopt circular
economy practices.

SWOT Analysis for implementing Circular Economy Retrofit

Strengths:

1. Environmental Benefits: Circular economy retrofitting can significantly reduce the

environmental impact of existing buildings by promoting resource efficiency, waste reduction,
and lower energy consumption. #SDG13.

2. Cost Savings: Retrofitting buildings for circularity can lead to long-term cost savings through
reduced energy and resource consumption, as well as improved operational efficiency.
 3. Job Creation: The circular economy retrofit sector has the potential to generate new job
opportunities in areas such as green construction, renewable energy installation, and waste
management. #SDG7

4. Enhanced Resilience: Retrofitting buildings for circularity can improve their resilience to climate
change and natural disasters by incorporating sustainable materials and technologies. #SDG13

5. Market Demand: With the growing awareness of sustainability issues, there is an increasing
market demand for circular economy retrofit solutions, creating opportunities for businesses
operating in this sector.

Weaknesses:

1. Initial Costs: Retrofitting buildings for circularity can involve significant upfront costs, including
material and equipment expenses, which may deter some building owners or developers from
investing in such projects.

2. Technical Challenges: Retrofitting existing buildings can be complex due to structural

constraints, outdated systems, and the need for careful integration of circular economy
principles. Technical expertise and innovative solutions are required to overcome these
challenges.

3. Lack of Awareness: Many building owners and stakeholders may have limited knowledge or
understanding of circular economy concepts, making it challenging to convince them of the
benefits and potential return on investment.

Opportunities:

1. Policy Support: Governments and regulatory bodies can play a crucial role in driving circular
economy retrofit by implementing supportive policies, providing incentives, and setting targets
or standards for sustainable building practices.

2. Innovation and Collaboration: There are significant opportunities for innovation and
collaboration between different industries, including construction, waste management, and
renewable energy, to develop integrated circular economy retrofit solutions.

3. Market Expansion: As sustainability becomes an increasingly important criterion for businesses

and consumers, the market for circular economy retrofit is likely to expand, creating
opportunities for new products, services, and business models. #SDG 11.

Threats:

1. Economic Constraints: Economic downturns or financial uncertainties may impact the

availability of funding for circular economy retrofit projects, reducing the overall investment in
sustainable building practices.

2. Resistance to Change: Stakeholders, including building owners, contractors, and tenants, may be
resistant to change due to concerns about disruption, inconvenience, or perceived higher costs
associated with retrofitting.
 3. Regulatory Barriers: Existing regulations and building codes may not fully support or incentivize
circular economy retrofit practices, posing barriers to widespread adoption and implementation.

HEAT NETWORKS AND DISTRICT HEATING

In a bid to decarbonize heat,it’s imperative to letting heat networks and district heating systems play a
crucial role in achieving low carbon housing by providing a sustainable and efficient solution for heating
and hot water supply. These systems can have several positive impacts on low carbon housing, which I
list thus:

1. Energy Efficiency

2. Reduced Carbon Emissions

3. Fuel Diversification

4. Affordability

5. Reduced Fuel Poverty

6. Integration with Low Carbon Technologies

In summary, heat networks and district heating systems have the potential to significantly impact
low carbon housing by improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, diversifying fuel
sources, enhancing affordability, alleviating fuel poverty, and enabling the integration of various low
carbon technologies. These systems provide a sustainable and scalable solution for heating,
contributing to a greener and more resilient housing sector.

CONCLUSION

Energy, sustainability and well-being, essentially describes the solutions I have outlined for you in this
presentation. I tried to capture the ideas pertinent to the work undertaken at Severn Wye and do
believe that these programs aptly capture the tenets for which the climate action and sustainability is all
about. Furthermore, alleviating fuel poverty is direct consequence to implementing these solutions. The
essence of SDG 13 (Climate Action) lies in the recognition that climate change requires urgent and
concerted action from all and sundry, as well as collaboration between governments, businesses, civil
society, and individuals. It calls for transformative changes in policies, practices, and behaviors to
transition towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient future and ensure the well-being of present and
future generations, as captured by Severn Wye’s mission statement.