The CO2 Driver

With Climate Change still the biggest threat faced by humankind, all too often this is discussed in the abstract, making it appear disconnected from our daily lives. But with households accounting for between 20% and 25% of all man-made CO2 emissions, buildings – and housing in particular – remain the subject of increased regulation and emission controls.

Low Carbon Living


For many governments, cutting greenhouse gas emissions is central to their ability to meet national and international emissions reduction targets. As a result, a wide range of approaches and policies have developed, or are emerging, in different countries with the common aim of facilitating low carbon living. Some of these are already providing powerful examples which are informing international thinking.

The Challenge of 2016


For the UK, where meeting the 2016 zero carbon target requires challenging performance improvements, there is an obvious need to learn key lessons from other countries.

Understanding various international, national and local approaches to achieving low energy and sustainable targets is of vital importance for planners, architects, and builders. It is at the core of their individual daily and lifetime endeavours – whether what they do adds to, or detracts from, the totality of human wellbeing.

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Compendium of Cases


Originally published in 2009, this updated Compendium provides a broad synthesis of international activity in this field. It gives a unique snapshot of how 15 different countries and their cities are demonstrating leadership in low carbon technology, energy supply and demand, cultural change, policy development and change management. 

For each country, headline energy consumption and climatic data have been assembled to provide context. This is accompanied by an analysis of progress against national aspirations and policy targets for emissions reductions.

Clear, Easy Comparisons


Information is organised to facilitate easy comparisons between countries, providing clarity for those wishing to learn from international experience and those seeking to build international links and collaboration. 

While every city and country has unique domestic circumstances, this 2015 Compendium, with its expanded scope and additional insight gained over time, helps us all to greatly benefit by learning from others, whether on policy, planning, process, technology or construction design and practice.

Making Your Buildings ‘Smarter’

Zero Carbon Hub’s Compendium highlights the collaborative methodologies necessary for the built environment, energy and transport infrastructure to work in harmony to create the cities of the future.

It provides a better understanding of the issues surrounding the achievement and delivery of low energy homes in partnership with energy generation and storage, transport, innovation, space organisation and comfort.

The design and construction of low energy homes need to be placed within the wider context of low energy, low carbon cities, with solutions relating to infrastructure and human behaviour working in harmony.

For more information, visit http://www.benfieldattgroup.co.uk/.

Click here to view the Zero Carbon Compendium 2015.