Why Green is Better An overview of green infrastructure in the built environment BTG Green Infrastructure event, Tremough, 6 th November 2012 Tony Norton Head of the Centre for Energy and the Environment

Climate change and energy policy Audits of local energy use Audit of greenhouse gas emissions Support for carbon reduction strategies National carbon and energy policy drivers Local evidence bases and wording Sustainable buildings Advice on sustainable design and policy BREEAM assessments / advice Building Energy Certification Day lighting simulations and calculations Energy auditing Built environment performance monitoring Monitoring of building services performance Ventilation measurement and CFD prediction Acoustic design advice for buildings Measurement of the acoustic quality of buildings Sustainable transport Local air quality assessments and modelling Low carbon transport technology and fuels Carbon reduction strategies Renewable and low carbon energy systems Renewable energy feasibility studies Technology evaluation Low carbon development policy and advice District heating and ESCos Research and knowledge transfer Climate change and adaptation Knowledge transfer partnerships (KTPs) Bespoke research Waste Energy from waste Waste studies The Centre for Energy and Environment

Green Infrastructure in the urban environment The garden city movement of the early 20 th Century identified many benefits of green space in urban areas. Welwyn (top) has more green space, trees and larger gaps between buildings than Plymouth (bottom). The Garden City Movement has shown that there are psychological and physiological benefits of this arrangement. Source: Google Earth. Photos at same resolution.

Urban areas are impervious to water Urban areas are typically ¾ impermeable surfaces. Runoff increases from 10% to >50%. This increases flood peaks by up to x6.

Green infrastructure and heat islands Cities have their own microclimate and are warmer than rural areas. What effect will this have on our energy usage? UHI of London as high as 9 o C

Changing UK Temperatures Max-min temperature London 1989 Source: CIBSE

Changing UK Temperatures Max-min temperature London 1989 Max-min temperature London 2080 Source: CIBSE

Plants in and on buildings The transpiration of water from plants has a net cooling effect on buildings.  Reduced surface temperatures and lower UHI.  Less overheating in buildings, improved human health and well being. St Loyes Care home, design by Gale and Snowden. CFD image of planted courtyard Courtyards can be used to trap ‘coolth’ from plants.

Cities of the Future Which ? Who decides, individuals or government ? Who informs the discussion ? We do !

Why Green is Better An overview of green infrastructure in the built environment BTG Green Infrastructure event, Tremough, 6 th November 2012 Tony Norton Head of the Centre for Energy and the Environment