Climate change and sustainable energy
Projects | Improving your Home: A householders guide to climate change
CAG Consultants worked with wave, a graphic design co-operative to write and produce A Climate Change Guide for householders, which suggests projects and measures that people can make to help tackle climate change when improving their homes.
The Guide was commissioned by the Welsh Assembly Government, with the help of the Design Commission for Wales, the Energy Saving Trust, and the Welsh Local Government Association. It forms part of a two-pronged announcement to tackle climate change through the design of new buildings and efficiency in existing houses in Wales and was launched in July 2008 to coincide with new planning policies on climate change and proposals to set minimum national sustainability building standards and the incorporation of renewable and low carbon technologies in Wales.
During 2007 local planning authorities in Wales received over 13,000 householder applications for alterations and improvements to homes, such as extensions, porches and garage conversions.
"This is a prime example of where we can influence people who are improving their home to think about how those changes can be made in a way which helps tackle climate change. For example, when a householder is thinking of adding an extension to their home I want to encourage them to think about the orientation of the extension to reduce carbon emissions, and also to think about the materials that they use to ensure they are resilient to flooding."
Jane Davidson, Environment, Sustainability and Housing Minister - Welsh Assembly
‘Improving your home. A Climate Change Guide’ details 10 projects and 20 measures that a householder can undertake to tackle climate change whilst improving their home. For example, the Guide suggest measures that householders can take whilst adding an extension, converting lofts, or refitting a kitchen or bathroom, as well as specific measures such as installing roof insulation, ground source heat pumps, lighting and water saving measures.
The Guide also indicates the likely costs of, and skills required to install each measure, as well as the impact on reducing a households’ carbon footprint and fuel bills, or comfort and safety in a changing climate (indicated by the symbols below).
Helen Chalmers
01691 828026
hc@cagconsult.co.uk
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