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In reality, though, all of these people just need slightly different slices of the same information.

These ambitions, translated to the built environment, can only be achieved via the implementation of measures to reduce operational and embodied carbon of new buildings, upgrading existing buildings, the use of ambitious policies and crucially via a decarbonised grid..The built environment contributes to around 40% of the UK's total carbon footprint.

Based on UKGBC’s Net Zero Carbon Buildings “A framework definition", a typical Cat A office’s building embodied carbon, after the first year of use, would be 75% of the total carbon, whilst the operational carbon would be around 25%.Although the operational carbon will accumulate overtime, a decarbonised grid will mean that the growth rate will flatten, and after 60 years the embodied carbon will still remain higher than operational carbon, as shown in Figure 2.This means that the focus and the priority should shift from operational to embodied carbon during the design..

Embodied and operational carbon increase in a decarbonised grid scenario.In this context, the request for Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA) has increased notably over the last few years.

The production of WLCA is required by BREEAM and the GLA.

In a BREEAM NC 2018 assessment, it is possible to achieve up to 7 credits by doing a WLCA, so for developments that aspire to Excellent or Outstanding ratings the analysis of embodied carbon has become very important.And in the same way, an advanced, mixed mode system with Building Management System control, ventilates the sports halls.

By using low energy passive ventilation for periods of lower use, but powerful mechanical ventilation at peak times, it minimises energy consumption whilst maximising the comfort of users.Occupant thermal comfort modelling demonstrated that mechanical systems were able to keep people at a comfortable temperature, whatever the weather.

This gained HEA04 BREEAM credits, and contributed to the projects’ BREEAM Very Good rating.. A-rated energy performance.All of these design features helped to achieve exceptionally low carbon emissions, with both centres achieving A rated energy performance certificates.