Meeting UK Government targets to deliver net zero
Transitioning school buildings and estates into the resilient, energy efficient, carbon-neutral properties they will need to become, as set out in law by the UK Government to be achieved in the ensuing decades, will be a significant challenge. Support is at hand through initiatives like the UK government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, which is proposed to be available annually, to provide funding to achieve these aims.
The biggest questions are – ‘Where to begin and how can you advance your responsibility to net zero?’
To ensure our buildings are well constructed, resilient, and efficient is a vital starting point and this begins by taking a fabric-first approach. This is engaged by architects designing new structures, and broadened by specialists, including manufacturers of high-performance external envelope solutions reviewing existing buildings and the way in which they operate.
A key step forward towards net zero for the education sector with property or establishments within its proprietorship is to appraise the generation of on-site renewable energy, such as solar photovoltaic solutions that provide significant savings both in carbon reduction and financial savings. Prominent in the sector is Bauder, a roofing solutions manufacturer and supplier that has supported numerous schools, academies, and Trusts in getting the correct solution for their needs with technical advice, guidance on the right solution, full design service and assistance with funding applications. Bauder focuses on the roofing element of buildings and in particular flat roofs where carbon reduction goals can be achieved, from a single source, through the inclusion of the right insulation within a waterproofing system and the addition of a rooftop PV array.
The UK government has pledged to bring all carbon emissions to net zero by 2050. Many local authorities and government bodies have already set-in motion carbon reduction plans with an ambition of a much closer date. Bauder can help to reduce and offset the carbon emissions of educational buildings by:
- Helping to develop roadmaps for robust decarbonisation action plans for existing buildings.
- Identifying and securing financing options for retrofit projects such as insulation upgrades and installing solar PV arrays.
- Designing thermally efficient insulation schemes for new or refurbishment projects.
The heating and cooling of a school building are large contributing factors to the carbon footprint of the site. By taking a fabric first approach and improving the efficiency of the building envelope a huge step forward is achieved towards net zero ambitions and three elements can be assessed when it comes to the roof.
The right insulation with robust detailing will not only provide the rooms below with sound absorption and noise reduction for an optimum learning environment, the correct insulation selection, designed correctly will ensure the building is performing thermally as well. This is a key step to becoming carbon neutral. Bauder’s high quality insulation provides solutions for demanding acoustic requirements, refurbishment challenges such as overlaying profiled roofs whilst working towards a net zero outcome.
Even a school with a high-performance envelope will be a significant consumer of energy. Adding a renewable energy source to power the school will lower that consumption and provide an additional benefit in that excess energy can be exported offsite to further offset carbon footprint. A flat roof is the perfect surface area to receive a PV array. Bauder’s PV solution,
BauderSOLAR, will maximise generation from your flat roof whilst minimising the impact on your buildings structure and ensuring there is no impact on roof warranties.
This living roof provides an additional barrier against heat gain and heat loss. As well as creating a more energy efficient building, a green roof can create a biodiverse habitat for the local wildlife, contribute to the reduction of the urban heat island effect where localised temperatures rise because of solar heat gain reflected or ‘stored’ within the hard construction materials. Green roofs also improve air quality and help to manage storm water run-off to reduce flooding. On an educational level, when these vegetated or recreational spaces are installed on school buildings, they have proved to be valuable learning tools for students.
Bauder is one of the leading European manufacturers of flat roof waterproofing, insulation, green roofs, and solar PV arrays. The company has been designing environmentally conscious roofs for many years, including projects that have achieved environmental accolade (BREEAM Outstanding status) and can assist in the pursuit for net zero by 2050, or sooner. Within Bauder’s comprehensive consultation and design service, the company helps to secure funding for your project through the most appropriate channels. Bauder systems can only be installed by Bauder approved operatives and works are routinely inspected by its site technicians to ensure quality workmanship. This also means that upon completion and sign off, a guarantee can be issued for the roof.