pbc today | 20 January 2023

[The ‘Circular Twin’ project produced a] new version of the school, which maintained the educational design standards required by government, achieved a 67% reduction in whole-life carbon and a 72% reduction in upfront embodied carbon using market-ready products and materials. […] The outcomes of the project formed part of an argument we put to government – with the backing of our delivery partners – that it should begin mandating whole-life cost and carbon assessments for construction as a statutory requirement when planning new-build and refurbishment projects in the public sector.

Building | 10 January 2023

Tim den Dekker and Will Arnold, co-authors of Part Z, reflect on next steps after the government withdrew support for the Carbon Emissions (Buildings) Bill.

Property Week | 23 September 2022

Given that the most sustainable building is the one that is already there and 80% of the buildings that will be in existence in 2050 are already built, to achieve net zero, there needs to be an increasing focus on reuse, adaptation and refurbishment rather than demolition and new build. […] The Part Z campaign and the House of Commons Environment Audit Committee (amongst others) have called for a move towards ‘not to exceed’ embedded carbon levels for new build, which would give a major boost to retrofitting.

Architects Journal | 23 June 2022

Jerome Mayhew MP has reintroduced a private member’s bill to the House of Commons, calling for embodied carbon in buildings to be regulated and reduced

Building Design | 22 June 2022

Conservative MP revives bill shelved in March after original backer was appointed to housing department job.

Ends Report | 1 March 2022

Rounding off the debate, [Philip Dunne MP] said that the regulation of embodied carbon “is coming – and if you are not on board, you are going to be left behind”

Dezeen | 2 February 2022

The bill calls for two things: first, whole-life carbon emissions to be reported on all major building projects; and second, for upfront embodied carbon limits to be set for those projects based on data from the first," Baker told Dezeen. "I am convinced that the introduction of such regulation is feasible and that the construction industry is ready for it.

Building.co.uk | 2 February 2022

Baker, who is the MP for North Norfolk and sits on the cross-party Environmental Audit Select Committee, said that embodied carbon is an issue which politicians “still don’t talk about enough”.

Bisnow | 27 January 2022

A new bill scheduled to be introduced in Parliament by a Conservative MP next week proposes putting a limit on the amount of carbon new buildings are allowed to emit in their construction.

Financial Times | 26 January 2022

In the UK, an amendment to building regulations has been drafted by architects and members of the construction industry. “Part Z” would limit the embodied carbon of major building projects. The proposal has widespread industry support.

Building.co.uk | 19 November 2021

A group of professionals from across the industry have come together to try and make [embodied carbon assessments] happen with Part Z – a proposed amendment to the Building Regulations that would make assessing and reducing embodied carbon and whole-life carbon a legal requirement. The short-term targets are relatively limited but the proposals suggest that these should become more ambitious as people become more familiar with the process.

Building.co.uk | 9 November 2021

[Arup] said the insights it will gain from conducting “thousands” of the studies each year will help the construction industry advance towards net zero emissions.

Building.co.uk | 3 November 2021

The proposed introduction to the Building Regulations of Part Z – Whole Life Carbon is an urgent legislative mechanism that is to be applauded and cannot come quickly enough. Carbon calculation is now a routine part of our lexicon and daily activity.

Architects Journal | 6 September 2021

To drive down carbon emissions on every project, we need to change the Building Regs.

Part Z, a proposed amendment to the Building Regs drafted by industry sustainability experts, already has impressive support – but you and your practice can help us build on that, writes Will Arnold.

Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining | 3 August 2021

The proposed Building Regulations amendment ‘Part Z’ and Approved Document Z has been released, outlining requirements on the assessment of whole life carbon emissions, and limiting of embodied carbon emissions, for all major building projects in the UK.

The Fifth Estate | 27 July 2021

In an action that could have wide global implications a team of experts in the UK has proposed that the upfront and embodied carbon of building materials be compulsorily calculated and capped as a requirement of Building Regulations. US states California, Minnesota and Oregon also have state-level carbon requirements; and the federal government looks like heading the same way.

The RIBA Journal | 23 July 2021

Industry calls on government to mandate assessment and reporting of whole life carbon on building projects over 1000m2 through Building Regulations by 2027

Building.co.uk | 23 July 2021

It’s time to tackle carbon emissions from construction, which have failed to fall alongside operational carbon. Will Arnold makes the case for embodied carbon regulation

Building Design | 21 July 2021

The proposals would see an amendment made to the Building Regulations setting mandatory limits for upfront carbon emissions on all building projects over 1,000sq m from 2027.

dezeen | 21 July 2021

A group of UK architects, developers and contractors have called for compulsory whole-life carbon assessments of buildings in a bid to tackle "hidden" emissions caused by construction supply chains.