We can construct buildings that reduce atmospheric CO₂ by more than their lifetime emissions. They now don’t cost much more – and a project involving 1.2 million homes would drive costs down further.

cross-posted from: https://aussie.zone/post/1364446

The national cabinet has announced plans to build an extra 1.2 million homes by July 1 2029.

What if we committed to building homes that produced net negative emissions? Put simply, such buildings remove more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than are emitted during their lifecycle.

Building these homes in Australia would do much more than reduce national emissions.

Building airtight homes - known as a tight building envelope - avoids unwelcome heat gain or loss.

Examples of buildings with low, zero or negative net emissions already exist in the United Kingdom and the European Union.

Building 1.2 million homes that use such technology would scale it up, driving down costs.

Building all of the promised 1.2 million homes in a future-friendly way would show our governments recognise both the long-term imperative of climate action and this immediate opportunity.

  • Salvo@aussie.zone
    ·
    1 year ago

    Consumers waste so much gas and electricity heating and cooling homes when a little bit of thought and responsibility on behalf of builders and architects could save millions.

    Any Government incentives to force builders to do away with inefficient materials and designs would only be effective if they are enforced. Since Builders are reluctant to legitimately conform with existing building regulations, they would probably only pay these new regulations lip service.