The Climate Change Committee’s Seventh Carbon Budget – What it means for the BEMS sector

With the UK government’s net zero target of 2050 rapidly approaching, the importance of defining a clear and balanced pathway to net zero is ever-increasing. In February this year, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) delivered its recommendations for the Seventh Carbon Budget (CB7), setting out the emissions reduction required between 2038 and 2042 for the UK to stay on an achievable and realistic path towards net zero in 2050. With the CCC’s recommendations projecting a promising future for the building energy management systems (BEMS) sector and its role in the reduction of carbon emissions, the CB7 looks set to significantly increase the importance of the sector.

Back in 2008, the Climate Change Act saw the UK become the first country in the world to set legally binding carbon budgets that mandated the government to set five-year carbon budgets that limit total greenhouse gas emissions.

Seventeen years on, the CCC has released its suggestions for the seventh iteration of these budgets, this time focusing on the five-year period between 2038 and 2042 and recommending a limit of 535 McCO2e – including emissions from international aviation and shipping.

While the CB7 quite rightly focuses on carbon emissions from any UK building, it’s important for property developers and facility managers to shine a spotlight on the non-residential buildings sector. Indeed, it is currently the ninth highest-emitting sector of the UK economy, accounting for 5% of all UK emissions.

Although the government aims to further reduce emissions from public sector buildings by 75% compared to a 2017 baseline, these emissions have only fallen by 9% since that date.

How will the Seventh Carbon Budget impact the BEMS sector?

Delivered through a combination of approaches, ranging from low-carbon fuels and carbon capture and storage, demand reduction measures, and engineered carbon dioxide removals through to electricity decarbonisation, and nature, the Seventh Carbon Budget sets out a balanced pathway for how the UK can work towards net zero emissions between 2038 and 2042.

In fact, the CCC’s recommended target is an 87% reduction in UK emissions by 2040.

Alongside the national targets, the UK also has an international commitment – known as the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). This aims to reduce UK greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 68% by 2030 and 81% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels.

With the CB7 mandating a reduction in carbon emissions, the demand for advanced building controls and automation solutions will rise – especially as buildings will need to operate more efficiently to meet carbon reduction targets.

As the UK seeks to decarbonise its building stock and the CB7 focuses on data and transparency, the monitoring and management of energy consumption will require accurate and up-to-date data – something building controls and automation systems can provide simply and efficiently.

The carbon emissions targets set by the CB7 will no doubt also lead to tighter regulations on building performance, emissions, and energy efficiency. As a result, building energy management systems (BEMS) will become an increasingly essential tool for ensuring compliance with these regulations.

Additionally, the need for the integration of renewable energy sources and low-carbon technologies, such as heat pumps, and solar panels, will exacerbate the importance of building controls further. For example, BEMS will be crucial in managing these technologies within buildings and ensuring the energy generated from these sources is used efficiently.

How can the BEMS sector help to lower emissions?

With the built environment one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions, there are considerable demand reduction opportunities as a result of the CB7’s recommendations – especially through the implementation of BEMS.

Able to manage and control a building’s environment, including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), and lighting, building controls and automation systems optimise energy use in real-time and are a highly effective way of reducing carbon emissions. In fact, advanced building controls and automation systems are able to achieve up to a 30% reduction in energy consumption.

By adapting to occupancy needs and any relevant environmental conditions, BEMS ensure energy-efficient and cost-effective operations, as well as a comfortable space for occupants. Indeed, by providing trusted and efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, building controls are able to be fully automated to switch on and off depending on occupation, the time of day, and external temperatures. Not only does this boost productivity and comfort of the occupants but it also reduces wasted energy and boosts energy efficiency.

Furthermore, the utilisation of technology enables the building to be monitored and managed remotely, making it quick and simple for building owners, facility managers, and end users to control energy consumption and identify areas of improvement.

While the BEMS sector has a vital role to play in the decarbonisation of UK buildings and the promotion of better energy efficiency, there is still a general lack of awareness among people inside and outside the built environment sector around the benefits of utilising building controls and automation.

With that in mind, the BCIA actively engages with government and industry stakeholders on upcoming policies and standards to solidify the vital role of BEMS in driving energy efficiency and improve knowledge and understanding for consumers and those in the industry.