New Thinking
Reducing carbon costs of building a bid step forward
Monday, August 6, 2007
PR02-060807
6 August
REDUCING CARBON COSTS OF BUILDING A BIG STEP FORWARD
A proposal to require assessment of the overall carbon cost of producing, maintaining and using new buildings is a big step forward in sustainable thinking, say Landcare Research scientists.
The Government is proposing that the embodied energy of a building be taken into account when it’s being designed. Embodied energy is the total amount of energy used to produce a final product from raw materials.
Michael Krausse, Landcare Research’s Science Team Leader for the Built Environment says long-term considerations could lead to New Zealand homes being healthier, more energy and resource efficient and cheaper to maintain. Landcare Research scientists have undertaken significant research into energy use during and after construction.
Their research showed the choice of construction system and materials can contribute extensively to life cycle energy and greenhouse gas emissions. However, simple steps – including improved insulation - could see this reduced.
Mr Krausse says increasing public interest in global warming, sustainability means that we need to consider long term performance and implications.
“While home ownership in New Zealand changes on a 7-9 year average cycle, long term considerations may seem irrelevant to some homeowners. But taking a long term view could have big benefits for our health, the environment and our pockets.”
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Mr. Michael Krausse:
Ph: 06-353-4805 / 027 434 6323
Tom Fraser, Media Communications Manager, Landcare Research
Ph: 03-321-9719 / 027-277-6183.
