Building For Climate Change
Current scientific advice indicates the key design requirement for the safety of all humanity’s infrastructure and the wellbeing and sustainability of natural ecosystems and species is an 80% reduction of fossil fuel production within two decades.
To meet social & economic needs while phasing out this energy source, we will need to consider the consequential issues of a sustained decline in energy supply and material consumption in all sectors of the economy.
We suggest a three-pronged approach is used, supported by documentation defining appropriate design outcomes & methodologies:
- Building Code minimums - as per the currently proposed approach, including simplified methods.
- Building Code Acceptable Solutions, Verification Methods and Alternative Solutions, giving guidance on optional better practice.
- Government building procurement done as a sustainable building programme that is able to address all phases of the design, materials supply, construction and operation process.
