Carbon budgets released by the government in 2009 have set legally binding limits on greenhouse gas production in the UK, as worries about the effects of climate change increase. They were adopted as a consequence of the Climate Change Act which became law in November 2008, setting legislation which was aimed to cut UK greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2050.
Effects of climate change in the UK are expected to involve winters that are warmer, increased rainfall during all months contributing to flooding and sea level rises, increased heat during summers which will could possible cause more drought and intense heat waves.
This mandatory requirement came into effect for all developments where a local authority received the building notice, initial notice or full plans application after 1st May 2008. Developments where a local authority had received these stages on or before 30 April 2008 are exempt. Where Building Regulations apply, compliance is necessary at all times. The Code assigns one or more performance requirements (assessment criteria) to all of the environmental issues. When each performance requirement is achieved, a credit is awarded (except for the four mandatory requirements with no associated credits).
The plan aims to support the government's target to ensure that all new homes are carbon zero by the year 2016. It is expected that all energy used for heating, lighting, ventilation and cooking and electrical appliances will have no carbon output at all, thanks to improved environmental and sustainable building practices. It is hoped that the code will enable new home buyers to make an informed decision with regards to the sustainability features of their new home and the associated running costs.
Code service providers are licensed organisations offering all or part of the range of Code services including assessor training; registration and monitoring; quality assurance of assessments; certification; investigation and resolution of complaints; and maintenance of records (BRE Global, 2007).
This technical guidance sets out the requirements for the Code, and the process for achieving a Code assessment. It aims to make gaining a Code assessment as simple, transparent and rigorous as possible, inspiring confidence in Code assessors, home builders, product manufacturers and consumers.
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