When will "climate change MITIGATION" move through building regs?

[Mr Gus]

We have exemptions for renewables (hard fought still) but when will similar be instructed from local government to things like increased shading roles to combat extreme heat be employed?

For instance, many are stuck with rules affecting change of character of the surrounding matching homes on typical uk housing estates, whereas the need to modify to assist low energy cooling & create more comfortable living zones doesn't seem to be on the mind yet of council planners regarding non new builds.

Not saying that every shaded place ought to have solar (nice thought) but not necessarily cost effective for high heat shading on an upper floor compared to cool grass, shaded frontage allowing less concentrated high heat around a building & improving comfortable air flow.

If you wanted to fit heat proof shutters to a top floor this would be a rejection from local planning ( well designed heat proof shutters would also benefit other seasons it is worth pointing out) whilst not a total solution would slow outer core heat build up & obviously cut out glass heat transmission markedly.

A big concern also cited on Radio 4 this morning is the conversion of office buildings to domeciles & the loose change rules that go's with this just seems to have trouble potential brewing on a large scale.

Shading in the form of minimal light penetrating roofed car ports would also help EV's battery overheat prevention for those with off road parking & may nudge them towards a 2 pronged attack of solar canopy that helps homes car mileage carbon reduction & net neutrality, especially if working from home becomes more the norm post covid.

Are any councils moving on these fronts or are they all waiting for slow witted governments to get to these things? most climate mitigation seems to be flood defences & little else.

[Sunrisemike]

They also mentioned that the climate changes are going to be far worse for the UK than originally thought. 3 degrees higher, but don't recall the timescale.

[Mr Gus]

Additionally it seems there is to be a Radio 4 programme regarding the NHS & climate change, is the sheer numbers of sick & hospitalised people the
reasonable point of change in government eyes? (overheated hospitals where you have to bring your own fan in summer).

[Mr Gus]

They also mentioned that the climate changes are going to be far worse for the UK than originally thought. 3 degrees higher, but don't recall the timescale.

Well we never believed the initial statement of "not letting temperature rises go beyond 1.5c though, right?

It is akin to "proposed" timelines for covid restrictions & lockdown lifting from March 2020 (propose a date for the proles, push past the date to let them down lightly because we don't deem their poor little brains of bing able to cope, so drip feed them more bad news every 14 or so days)

Follows the same train of thought behind " a good day to bury bad news" in the goldfish bowl cycle of media output & publics typically short memory for frequently being kicked in the balls by those in charge to save face & leads in political popularity polls.

[spread-tee]

They also mentioned that the climate changes are going to be far worse for the UK than originally thought. 3 degrees higher, but don't recall the timescale.

Well we never believed the initial statement of "not letting temperature rises go beyond 1.5c though, right?

It is akin to "proposed" timelines for covid restrictions & lockdown lifting from March 2020 (propose a date for the proles, push past the date to let them down lightly because we don't deem their poor little brains of bing able to cope, so drip feed them more bad news every 14 or so days)

Follows the same train of thought behind " a good day to bury bad news" in the goldfish bowl cycle of media output & publics typically short memory for frequently being kicked in the balls by those in charge to save face & leads in political popularity polls.

Absolutely, the only way to effect change is to vote into power politicians who believe in green issues and will legislate to change or improve the building regs. People often complain that councils are lacking in ambition, but short of a bit of lobby-ing they don't write the regs, they are only tasked with enforcing them. The real changes need to happen at ministerial level.

desp

[Mr Gus]

& with that I have just sent an email questoning green progress (that aint whitewash) for the local city council & new mayor, thanks for the push Desp

[spread-tee]

Cool , if millions of us hassle the politicians and maybe exert wallet power things may move. But we do have to shout loudly to overcome the inertia.

Desp

[Mr Gus]

What easements on building control / planning permissions should we be pushing for to improve our homes & cut down / out the paperwork for climate mitigation within the home? (opinions please)

Desp, what strikes you as do-able if it weren't for problems with council tangles that don't make much sense from your perspective?

It's not like we are going to see a big vat reduction on anything after covid ..so that's out before anyone mentions it.

[Stinsy]

We fitted a big roller canopy to cover the outdoor furniture on our south-facing patio outside the kitchen window. It has made a huge difference to the kitchen during the recent warm spell. We also have tilt/turn windows with blinds attached, being able to “tilt” the window for ventilation while excluding solar gain has made a big difference to the south-facing upstairs rooms.

All these features are common in Southern Europe but rare in the UK and not considered at all for new-build properties.

[spread-tee]

What easements on building control / planning permissions should we be pushing for to improve our homes & cut down / out the paperwork for climate mitigation within the home? (opinions please)

Desp, what strikes you as do-able if it weren't for problems with council tangles that don't make much sense from your perspective?

It's not like we are going to see a big vat reduction on anything after covid ..so that's out before anyone mentions it.

I think it is down to the GOVT to re-jig the regulations and fund the LAs so they can enforce it. The real problem is with existing housing which will be with us for a hundred years or more, and how we fund drastic improvements to them, new builds in theory are fairly eco friendly but in any case we are building them so slowly they wont have enough impact in the timeframe we need.

Also I think planning could be re-jigged so that refurb work could be designed with loads of insulation in mind. For instance, on our two storey extension and lofty we has to keep the design so similar to the original thirties style we ended up compromising on the insulation, we are well below the minimum threshold but could have done a lot better were we able to build a little closer to the boundary and raise the gable wall and have a half hipped end. There are precedents around here but we may have had to appeal to the secretary of state which probably would have burned up a year or more, we couldn't risk that.

Desp