ZEMCH 2015 - International Conference Proceedings | Page 199

carbon target. In certain cases, the code could be applied mandatory:
• Local councils require developers to comply with the code by including a requirement in their
planning policy.
• Affordable housing is funded by the homes and community agency that requires homes to be
built to code level 3.
• The level 3 energy standard is now incorporated in the building regulations’ (CfSH 2006).
This awareness to the issue after global warming and temperatures rise, has led to less consumption and a better quality of air in the UK. SO2 emissions were reduced because of two main reasons: the decline in the use of fuel oil in power generation, as well as industry, and the transfer in
power generation from coal to natural gas since 1992 (Fig.4) (Ekins 2000).

Figure 4: SO2 emissions by fuel use, UK (Ekins 2000)
As can be seen in Figure 4, from ‘Economic Growth and Environmental Sustainability’ the thousands of tonnes disposed yearly in the UK have significantly dropped, in a comparison between
1970s and 1995.
Energy Security
A look at the current break down of energy resources (Fig.5) used in the UK would clearly show
dependence on gas as a main energy resource. A percentage of this gas is produced in northern
England, but this resource is declining, and most of the gas consumption today is imported from
other gas rich countries mainly depending on Russia for a large percentage of the coal. Pipelines
already exist between the UK and Russia, but Ireland is the furthest consumer. As a result, any
disputes between Russia and other user nations along the pipeline – and there have been disputes where Russia has cut off the gas every year for the last three years – could affect the UK. It
is estimated that by 2020 90% of natural gas used in the UK will be imported, but, additionally,
the decline of coal-fired and nuclear-powered electricity generation is likely to lead to increased
dependence on gas over the same period. Price fluctuations in the general gas market over the
last couple years have led to sudden increases in house- hold gas and electricity prices (Banfill
and Peacock 2007).

A closer look at sustainability practices: lessons from the UK

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