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Climate Change Policy Statement

Worldwide concern for the global climate has emerged with the recognition of increasing concentrations of atmospheric greenhouse gases and increased global temperatures.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report, 2 February 2007, provides clear scientific evidence that there is a 90% certainty of human induced activity contributing to climate variability.

Society continues to be strongly concerned at the short and longer term effects of climate change on future generations as a consequence of global warming and climate change.

CIBSE promotes an approach to design, operation and maintenance that minimises the contribution of buildings to climate change. This must be supported by sound business practices and incentives wherever possible.

CIBSE provides building design, operation and energy efficiency standards that are used globally. As energy production often contributes greenhouse gases and carbon liberated to the atmosphere, the application of these standards will assist to reduce emissions. 

Energy related impacts are achieved by reducing the equipment system and building energy consumption, and by modifying user behaviour, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and carbon. CIBSE recognises that, through the application of good practice by its members and influence on the wider engineering related community, it is well placed to provide the engineering expertise needed to reduce the impact of the built environment upon the climate.

CIBSE recognises the needs of developing economies and provides the engineering expertise necessary to assist economic development whilst reducing the rate of carbon emissions during this process.

CIBSE encourages building services engineers to adopt a co-ordinated approach to environmental issues at all stages of the life cycle of buildings, including conception, briefing, design, procurement, construction, maintenance and ultimate disposal by:

• Liaising closely with designers, design teams, clients, operators and owners at all stages of the design and construction process.
• Developing and improving techniques for quantifying the carbon emissions potential of materials, components, equipment and processes.
• Encouraging the development of designs, materials, components, systems and processes with reduced or zero effects on carbon emissions.
• Adopting techniques and products which minimise the use of designs, materials, components, systems and processes which contribute to carbon emissions in their construction, transportation, installation and use.
• Encouraging the use of designs, materials, components, systems and processes which do not contribute to carbon emissions on final disposal.
• Ensuring building operators are advised of the importance of properly maintaining systems to minimise carbon emissions.
• Encouraging programmes for replacement and substitution of designs, materials, components, systems and processes with those having a reduced or no contribution to carbon emissions.