By Eamonn Ryan
The following article is derived from an ASHRAE UK presentation on ASHRAE UK chapter’s upcoming Hot Climate Design Guide, by Frank Mills, FASHRAE and professional consulting engineer. This is Part 3 of an eight-part series.
These solutions require significant investment and careful planning. Freepik
Tackling climate change requires more than just better building practices. It necessitates a collective effort to reduce carbon emissions across all sectors, which includes shifting energy production from fossil fuels to renewables. In cities like Manchester, this shift is already underway. The city’s mayor has set an ambitious target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2040. This commitment, while challenging, reflects the growing recognition of the urgent need to reduce carbon footprints and mitigate the impact of climate change.
The urgency of addressing climate change is underscored by research from institutions such as the Tyndall Centre in Manchester, which focuses on climate change mitigation strategies in line with the Paris Agreement. One of the key targets set by the Paris Agreement is to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Exceeding this threshold could trigger catastrophic environmental events, such as widespread coastal flooding and increased heatwaves. For example, a rise in global temperatures of just 3°C could lead to cities like Miami being completely flooded, as shown in studies assessing the impact of sea-level rise. Even a 1.5°C rise will cause coastal flooding that will affect cities and populations around the world, particularly those built near coastlines—currently home to 50% of the world’s urban population.
The implications of such changes demand immediate attention. Cities must not only reduce their carbon emissions but also make their buildings and infrastructure resilient to the effects of climate change, such as rising sea levels, extreme heat and flooding. In this context, the Hot Climate Design Guide becomes an essential tool for architects and engineers to design buildings that contribute to this goal, integrating energy-efficient systems and ensuring resilience in the face of a changing climate.
Decarbonisation and energy transition
Central to the goal of achieving net-zero emissions is the transition away from fossil fuel-based energy sources, such as coal and natural gas, to renewables like solar, wind, and nuclear energy. This transition, while necessary, presents several challenges. In the UK, for instance, the government is grappling with public resistance to renewable energy infrastructure, such as solar farms and wind turbines, particularly in areas traditionally used for agriculture. The debate is not just about where these renewable sources should be located, but also about how to balance the need for energy with the desire to preserve natural landscapes.
In addition to the shift to renewables, there is increasing interest in technologies such as nuclear power, which can provide consistent, low-carbon energy. However, these solutions require significant investment and careful planning to ensure they are both effective and widely accepted. Understanding public perception of these technologies is an ongoing area of research, especially as cities like Manchester work towards ambitious carbon reduction goals.
In the UK and many parts of Europe, building regulations have traditionally focused on energy use for heating, cooling, ventilation and hot water. However, these regulations often overlook the energy used by plug loads and process loads, which can represent a significant portion of a building’s total energy consumption. For example, office buildings, hospitals and research facilities may have high energy demands due to equipment and machinery, but these demands are not always addressed by current energy efficiency standards.
