2022 Sustainability trends and predictions for 2023
As 2023 approaches it is human nature to reflect on the year gone and what lies ahead.
Alex Alanson sat down and chatted to our Managing Director, Ben Wells, who reflect on what this period in Sustainability could mean for our clients.
Here are Ben’s thoughts on 3 Trends from 2022 and 3 Predictions looking ahead to 2023.
To contact either, please email:
Ben Wells Managing Director
ben.wells@mainer.co.uk
Alex Alanson Commercial Director
alex.alanson@mainer.co.uk
Health and Wellbeing Assessments
There is an increasing level of interest in H&W assessments, although given that we’re in the (hopefully) post-covid era this is understandable.
We believe that this trend is as much buildings improving H&W in a scientifically measurable way as it is about occupants having a more general sense of their well-being (e.g. child care rooms, signs telling people to take the stairs, fitness suites).
Focus on Carbon
There’s still a general perception that many key industry stakeholders don’t really understand the terminology that’s being used in calculating carbon values, and that when there is an actual cost to managing carbon costs some stakeholders drop or reduce carbon management initiatives. This appears to be most notably the case in relation to whole life carbon management, evidencing that there’s still a lack of commitment to long-term sustainability goals. Mainer’s CarbonCentric dashboard tool is able to demonstrate that the broadly accepted assumptions for a carbon calculation is sometimes incorrect, and as such a commitment to higher levels of accuracy is made possible.
Focus on Building Design
Despite obviously being a key part of the solution to sustainability in the built environment, or any low carbon agenda, its increase in significance is an important trend. It’s relatively easy to get an EPC A rating for a building, but the real benefits come from operating that building to deliver energy efficiency. This is where NABERS assessments can help, as these look at the real rather than theoretical performance of the building as occupied (i.e. utility bills). Designing an energy efficient building is just the first step, and it takes operational expertise to run it effectively, to meet those objectives in operation. Designing for Performance (DfP) is as much about handover and soft-landings, as it is about building physics.
Whole Life Carbon
We believe that the more forward thinking developers will be looking at key purchasing decisions - such as developing servicing strategies - on a “holistic” and not just a one-off cost basis. This is best enabled by ensuring that there is a regular review process is in place to ensure that the developer is able to adapt a building to the best technology then available - at any time - rather than at the time of construction.
Looking at MEP equipment through a whole lifecycle approach enables this to happen, while also allowing assessment of embodied carbon in construction, as well as cyclical maintenance and replacement.
Circularity
The GLA’s London Plan suggest that for all major developments there needs to be a circular economy statement.
However what’s not clear if those commitments will actually be implemented as there’s a lack of clarity about how these will be policed. A more practical commitment would also include an understanding of how a development fits into a property portfolio’s assets will ensure that those can be used more effectively. This is where the “Buildings as Materials Banks” concept could be applied to measure and manage the use of materials during ‘end-of-life’ phases.
Design for Performance
Acknowledgement of the fact that all the component parts of a design could and should be regularly scrutinised to ensure that they are delivering as designed. There is a risk that NABERS ratings may be removed for some developments due to the fact that operational corners have been cut throughout design, construction, and operation. Architects design buildings but don’t manage their occupancy, and that’s where expertise should be sourced to manage sustainability commitments, throughout the building’s lifecycle. Soft Landings frameworks need to be in place during the construction process, rather than just handed over at practical completion.
Enhanced commissioning should be a permanent commitment and not optional, and buildings should be re-commissioned as appropriate.
If you want to discuss any of these issues or wish to have a more general discussion about how you can meet your sustainability objectives, please mail us at hello@mainer.co.uk