1. Reduced Resource Consumption

Energy consumption has a major impact on the environment and UK and European economies. As a major industrial sector, the built environment industry must reduce the consumption of natural resources – energy, water, material and land – in existing and new buildings and through embodied energy and running energy costs. For example, 80% of energy consumed during the whole life cycle of a building occurs during its service life. Equally, household and services are the third largest source of C02 emissions in the EU-15. Greater effiiciency must be sought in the amount of raw material used and waste produced; in the energy content of construction materials; and in a sustainable approach to land use. The sector must respond to the imminent and growing threat of irreversible climate change.

Detailed research topics will include:

• Efficient and renewable energy concepts, technologies and tools for new and existing buildings.
• Zero energy consuming and CO2 emitting buildings.
• Environmentally friendly manufacturing technologies for construction materials and components.
• Training, dissemination and legislation to support reduced energy consumption.

A scoping study has been undertaken in this area, and a copy of the report is available below.

• Reduced Resource Consumption Scoping Study Download