Sustainability, the Copenhagen Accord and the built environment: A green-wash out?

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Issues of climate change and sustainability are at the forefront of international concern. The recent Copenhagen Climate Summit failed to secure a binding, legislative agreement, but the Copenhagen Accord did recognise scientific evidence showing carbon emissions need to be reduced and rising temperatures limited to an increase of 2^oC. While the failure to secure a legally binding treaty was criticised by some, progress is being made towards making our world more sustainable – especially with regard to building design.

“There is  a lot being done at a national level to help improve new buildings, not only to provide statutory requirements but also to educate and raise awareness of the issue, for example, the recent Eco-Build conference in London, the WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) initiative, the introduction of non-domestic zero-carbon building targets from 2016 to 2019, depending on building type and the increases in building regulation requirements,” says Nightingale Associates’ architect and director of design, research and innovation, David Rowley.