Environmental Audit Committee inquiry - Sustainability of the built environment

Written by Jonathan Thompson. First published on 1 Jul 2021, and most recently revised on 30 Mar 2022.

The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee has traditionally seen climate change mitigation in existing and new buildings as simply a matter of maximising the amount of modern insulation and glazing product in every building, irrespective of adverse net carbon impacts and/or other adverse effects. Its April-May 2021 inquiry, in contrast, suggests a much more holistic and logical approach, based on overall whole-life carbon impacts, as the CLA has been advocating for many years. This CLA response commends that more holistic and realistic approach, and summarises what is needed to achieve it.

Key contact:

Jonathan Thompson Senior Heritage Adviser, London