Essex Council planning study reduces embodied carbon, improving Downing Street regulations

Published on the Essex Design Guide, the new research focuses on minimising the footprints of proposed developments across the county. 

The Essex Embodied Carbon Policy Study was produced with five construction industry consultants, all with expertise in this field. It is hoped this will now provide a robust, evidence-based approach to consistently deliver low embodied carbon developments in Essex.

Funded by the Essex Climate Action Commission and Essex County Council’s Climate and Planning Unit, in partnership with local authorities in the region, a revised planning policy is now being drafted based on recommendations from the research. You can read the full study here. 

‘I am delighted to announce the publication of this study. It emphasises the need to address embodied carbon in the built environment and is a positive step toward a more sustainable future for Essex,’ said Cllr Lee Scott, Cabinet Member for Planning a Growing Economy.’

Currently, building regulations passed down from central government do nothing to address embodied carbon, despite the fact this is expected to account for 50% of all emissions associated with new property developments due to complete between now and 2050. With this in mind, the Essex policy could help set a precedent for other areas of the country, in lieu of Downing Street updating its regulations. 

‘This study drew on the expertise of architects, energy consultants, engineers and cost consultants to draft recommended policies and carry out upfront embodied carbon and life cycle modelling of low-rise housing typologies,’ said Clare Murray, Associate, Head of Sustainability at Levitt Bernstein and one of the experts leading on the research. ‘The success of this study was made possible by an informed and inspiring client, who positively challenged and informed the content and outcomes of this study. We hope this work will also continue to further knowledge in the built environment too.’

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Image: Sven Mieke