11 minute read
Road to zero carbon
The COP26 set out a roadmap to zero carbon success, which relies on a cohesive approach to new technology
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE
Although the catastrophic predictions for the earth’s future may seem like the plot to a high-octane action fi lm, scientifi c consensus is that the reality of inaction is frighteningly real. The race to prevent further global warming is on, but it’s going to take the combined e orts of the entire globe to ensure a happy ending.
The COP26 conference in Glasgow last autumn managed to agree on key actions to address climate change and a way forward for all countries involved to meet their decarbonisation targets, with ambitious policies for action.
The Energy Saving Trust said: “While acknowledging that the cost of inaction will be far greater than the investment required, the strategy also highlights that early action to achieve net zero o ers multiple opportunities to strengthen the UK economy and level up.”
Collaboration
The emphasis on international collaboration on innovative climate action across all sections of society was recognised by all who attended COP26. However, the economic inequalities that prevent some countries from levelling up require a delicate balance in order to mitigate their impact.
Counting carbon
81%
of the construction industry believe the government needs to be clearer about how it can hit carbon targets
48%
of the industry is aware funding is available for hydrogen installations
84%
of the construction industry hasn’t used any hydrogen government funding schemes available
23%
of the UK’s total carbon emissions in 2019 came from heating buildings
The topic of fi nance was extensively discussed, with the need to increase support to developing countries apparent. Calls to double fi nance for adaptation to these countries was agreed by all.
The talks also worked on a programme to defi ne the global goal on adaptation, identifying collective needs and solutions to the climate crisis already a ecting many countries.
To mitigate the persistent gap in emissions, an agreement was made to reduce the gap and to ensure that the rise in the average temperature is limited to 1.5 degrees.
Alok Sharma, UK President of COP26, said: “We can now say with credibility that we have kept 1.5 degrees alive, but its pulse is weak and it will only survive if we keep our promises and translate commitments into rapid action.”
Unrealistic expectations?
A call to action was delivered by the government in the form of The Heat and Buildings Strategy, which was published in October 2021. This set out how the UK will decarbonise homes and commercial, industrial and public sector buildings, as part of setting a path to net zero by 2050.
Despite the fact that the majority of the heating and plumbing industry would agree that a shift to net zero is vital, there is not much confi dence that it is achievable in the current circumstances. In fact, according to research by Bramble Energy, 52% of the UK construction industry is not confi dent they will achieve net zero by 2050*.
The construction industry contributes to over 38% of the UK’s total carbon footprint, so in order to reduce to zero by 2050 it needs to address three key challenges, which includes:
• Education and an understanding of the solutions available • A net zero ambition which is realistic and, ultimately, achievable • Full transparency on the government funding available
“The construction industry is already demonstrating clear intent with the launch of major projects like HS2,” says Peter Sayce, chief product o cer at Bramble Energy. “Yet our survey
Panellists from Viessman, Velux, Johnson Controls and The Worl on stage at COP26 in discussion during a session on ‘Creating Liveable Spaces: Homes, Heating, Cooling, Retrofi tting’
revealed some genuine challenges that continue to face the sector in order to achieve net zero. Yes, roadmaps are being put into place by industry experts, but the picture being painted is that all parties have to take their share of the responsibility. Construction fi rms have to become better educated on solutions and support available, and the government has to be more transparent in its support.”
To tackle the issue of reducing carbon emissions from UK homes, the government has been championing heat pumps as the way forward. However, although a good solution, this certainly isn’t a one-size-fi ts-all situation. The industry needs to challenge the assumption that heat pumps are the only way to achieve targets.
Playing a part
“Clearly we all need to take action to save the planet,” says Frank Treviss, EngTech MCIPHE RP RHP BA MSc. “Heat pumps are going to be di cult to install in older properties, especially with regard to installing larger radiators running at lower temperatures or the installation of
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
“We can help meet COP26 objectives by developing appropriate training and education schemes in new technologies now. This needs immediate government and industry fi nancing and support. Our industry can help lead the way by encouraging the public to install appropriate, more energy e cient installations when replacements are due.” – Frank Treviss, EngTech CIPHE RP RHP PRO-CHOICE
“We are pleased that government has recognised heat networks and hydrogen as the way forward for sectors that will be di cult to decarbonise with electricity. A hydrogen economy will strengthen energy security and give consumers a choice in how they want to protect their comfort as well as the planet.” – Steve McConnell, director of the Industrial and Commercial Heating Equipment Association (ICOM)
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
“Supporting our customers as they navigate the coming technology transformation is a key focus for us. Wolseley has reduced the greenhouse gas emissions from its site operations by 70% and from the transportation of goods by 23% over the last fi ve years. Furthermore, Wolseley is working to being a net zero business by 2030 or sooner.” – Nick Coad, head of environmental, social and governance at Wolseley
* Survey of 579 industry leaders, November 2021; www.brambleenergy.com underfloor heating. Local or district heating schemes could provide a solution to these problems where groups of properties cannot be easily converted individually to the new technology.”
The government has tipped hydrogen as one of its carbon–cutting solutions, with plans to kickstart a world-leading hydrogen economy set to support over 9,000 UK jobs and unlock £4 billion investment by 2030.
The UK’s first-ever hydrogen strategy follows the Prime Minister’s ambitious 10-point plan for a green industrial revolution to meet its target of 5GW of low-carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030 – the equivalent of replacing natural gas in powering around three million UK homes each year, as well as powering transport and businesses, particularly heavy industry.
Kwasi Kwarteng, business and energy secretary, said of the plans: “This home-grown clean energy source has the potential to transform the way we power our lives and will be essential to tackling climate change and reaching net zero. With the potential to provide a third of the UK’s energy in the future, our strategy positions the UK as first in the global race to ramp up hydrogen technology and seize the thousands of jobs and private investment that come with it.”
Suppliers, including Bosch, have developed hydrogen-ready boilers that are able to function off the current grid infrastructure, meaning limited disruption for customers and similar installation. However, concerns remain around the cost to UK households and the scalability of this target.
“Further consideration should be
Top: Frank Treviss EngTech MCIPHE RP RHP BA MSc Bottom: Jimmy Hendry EngTech, AfCGI FCIPHE RP
Representatives of countries around the world joined in discussions aimed at limiting global warming Update your skills with the CIPHE’s Low Temperature Heating and Hot Water Design course ciphe.org.uk
given to the use of hydrogen as an alternative natural gas,” warns Treviss. “There is the question of the cost to property owners of installing new technologies, which will need considerable fi nancial support from
government if the current proposals are to be implemented.”
Although touted as a clean, natural gas, the fact remains that currently the bulk of the UK’s hydrogen resources are produced from fossil fuels. However, renewable sources such as wind, solar, geothermal or biomass can also be used to produce hydrogen.
“Our trade is reliant on fossil fuels to an extent,” says Jimmy Hendry, EngTech, AfCGI FCIPHE RP, who is a plumbing lecturer at Inverness College. “We are seeing a push towards hydrogenated vegetable oils (HVO) in boilers and a push to hydrogen gas boilers, but given that the bulk of our hydrogen comes from fossil fuels it seems to be just a shift away from the usual to try to distract from the real agenda.”
Demand for gas installers
Despite the focus on renewable fuel resources, the fact remains that there are currently around 22 million gas-heated homes in the UK. This means that there will be appliances which will require safety checks, maintenance and repairs for many years
WORKING TOGETHER
“The main headline of COP26 was the possible phasing out of fossil fuels. We see a lot of confusing and mixed messages from the government on decarbonising heat and the banning of boilers, which just worries homeowners. The government needs to work with our industry and not against it!” – Peter Thom FCIPHE FRSA FCIM AIGEM, Green Heat Ltd INVEST IN PEOPLE
“Climate policies can create more and higher qualifi ed jobs. However, skilled installers, plumbers and tradespeople are already in short supply. We need a strong labour pact to attract new professionals and train people at scale – a clear priority for policy makers and industry.” – Alix Chambris, vice-president of global public a airs and sustainability at Viessmann FIT FOR PURPOSE
“We need to look at housing stock and see what is best suited for our energy use. Look at the Low Carbon Heating Design Course, where the way to design a heating system will change. This needs to be implemented immediately. A well designed, installed and maintained system will have a positive e ect on the emissions being produced, whatever the heat source.” – Paul Williams Eng Tech LCGI MCIPHE RP RHP
to come, so there will still be demand for gas qualified installers.
“Traditional heating qualifications are often pre-requisites to heat pump and renewables training and leading industry authorities agree that the market will rely on those with existing skills,” points out Mark Krull, managing director of training provider LCL Awards. “The Heat Pump Association says that ‘the initial growth in heat pump installers will need to predominantly come from those already installing traditional heating systems. The fundamentals of heating do not change with a switch to heat pumps, in the current installer base many of the skills required for low-carbon heating installation are already in place and these will need to be built upon.’
“Taken at face value, some media noise about the rapid expansion of the heat pump market and developments in hydrogen may cause concern to those considering training for a career as a Gas Safe registered engineer. However, you don’t have to look too far beyond the headlines to see that gas engineering offers a prosperous career now that opens many doors to ongoing success in a low-carbon future.”
Another issue that could arise due to the increased focus on renewable energy sources is unqualified installers attempting to work with gas appliances.
“It’s important to have a proper professional registration and competency scheme to work in the related tasks, so we don’t end up with cowboys jumping on the back of the grant schemes,” says David Bunce, trainee plumber.
This is a sentiment that is echoed throughout the industry. In fact, Master Plumber Jimmy Hendry currently has a petition under approval in the UK parliament to ensure the safety of consumers. “The petition for ‘No Gas Safe card = No Sale’ aims to cut down on the amount of unregistered gas engineers buying and fitting boilers, cookers and fires with no qualifications,” he says.
The aim of the petition is to instate a register of purchases and installations to reduce the number of unqualified installations that could potentially cause fatalities.
“As the construction sector produces significant carbon emissions it’s clear that we collectively have a responsibility to support the government’s net zero aspirations,” says Kevin Wellman, chief executive officer of the CIPHE. “However, I fear the current pandemic and the parliamentary issues are proving a huge distraction from the real issues.
“It’s vital for the industry to give accurate and consistent messaging and I commend the industry trade press for the support they are giving to this topic. There are numerous options available to reduce our carbon footprints, so it’s imperative that installers and designers are adequately skilled in these technologies.
“The key to a successful rollout of these technologies is for designers to consider the long-term implications of installations and the industry needs to ensure quality products that are installed and maintained by qualified professionals.
“Reaching the government’s targets will require a swift, sustained and collaborative approach across all sectors.”
MORE INFORMATION
To find out more about the government’s policies and proposals for decarbonisation to meet its net zero target by 2050, visit
