CCF: Part L 2021 – The Next Step for Building Energy Efficiency and Carbon Emissions

The Government recently published its response to the consultation on the Future Homes Standard and the 2021 revision to Part L of the Building Regulations. This now gives the construction industry a clear road-map for the energy efficiency and carbon reduction of buildings through to 2025 and beyond. This is a crucial step towards our zero-carbon future, says CCF.

Jolyon Berg, Head of Technical at CCF, explains: “Whilst many in the built environment industry wanted the changes to go further and faster, the changes announced do provide the construction industry and its supply chain with a degree of clarity of the next two steps in Part L of the Building Regulations.”

“The changes represent a significant reduction in carbon emissions from our new buildings of 31%, in the 2021 Part L revision, and approximately a 75-80% reduction (vs current regulations) in the 2025 revision. 

“One really positive change in the announcement is that the fabric energy efficiency standard (FEES) will be retained. This signals a welcome ongoing commitment to a fabric first approach, which helps to reduce energy demand in buildings, as well as carbon reduction, and is crucial for our long term zero carbon ambitions.”

Also retained in the 2021 Part L revision is the ability for local authorities to set standards tighter than building regulations – which many already do.

Jolyon continues: “This is good news for those authorities that want to go faster in the carbon reduction journey but it does bring challenges in the industry as there will be many standards being built to, across the different regions of the country.”

“Insulation manufacturers and building product distributors like CCF will need to be ready to support the construction industry to navigate these changes and CCF are committed to providing the technical support to understand how to meet the new standards and whatever regional variations may exist.

“Building to higher performing fabric is clearly a large part of the plan to achieving a low-carbon future. This is important as, like many in the construction industry, CCF recognises that only by investing in the building fabric can the joint goals of decarbonisation and energy demand reduction be fully realised.

“The technical team here at CCF are keen to engage with and support our customers on this challenging but crucial journey.”

For more information about CCF, visit www.ccfltd.co.uk 

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