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Foundations
The LSC Strategy for Sustainable Development highlights the need to promote and deliver good sustainable practice in all design, new build and refurbishment activities and to reduce the overall carbon footprint of the sector.
Reducing the footprint is not just about design, new build and refurbishment. Many LSC providers, such as independent learning providers, are not involved in LSC funded rebuilds. Therefore, it is important that emphasis is placed on reducing the footprint through ongoing management, such as having targets to use less energy.
There are opportunities here, not only with any planned refurbishment, new build and sustainable design. Good practice measures that can applied to existing buildings. This will be particularly important in light of the fact that the Government could set challenging targets through the Climate Change Bill. Having a new build will not be enough – all FE providers will need to keep improving the energy performance and consumption of their buildings.
The sector’s footprint covers three key environmental areas carbon, water and waste. In addressing these issues, FE providers have can have a number of positive influences such as:
There is a high degree of autonomy within the further education system which to some extent reflects the fact that a number of providers are leading the way in introducing sustainable procurement and operational processes within their own buildings and functions.
In January 2007, the LSC set out their "strategy for building greener colleges of the future", which for the first time states that providers must include green proposals in their designs if they are to win capital funding. Providers will be strongly encouraged to embed principles of sustainability in the design of their buildings and building systems. Buildings will in the future need to achieve a BREEAM excellent rating, and to meet and preferably exceed the requirements of Part L of the buildings regulations. Other criteria include approaches to maximise the use of natural lighting and ventilation, the use of solar and wind power, and reuse of rainwater. The approach aims to deliver “innovative, energy efficient and inspirational buildings”
The LSC is overcoming barriers to sustainable procurement by increasing the capital cost criteria available for sustainable elements of building design and construction. FE providers applying for capital grant support can now apply for an additional cost allowance of 5% of building costs to be ring fenced and used for elements in the building that address sustainability. FE providers that can demonstrate how their design exceeds the new requirements of Part L of the Building Regulations and addresses further sustainable issues are eligible for the allowance. Any increase in costs resulting from Part L will be covered by a regular twice-yearly increase of the LSC's capital costs criteria; this is in addition to the 10% allowance to reflect increases in sustainability . The LSC has commissioned a design guide (external website) for FE providers that will provide examples of best practice in the design of FE provider buildings. The LSC is also commissioning a BREEAM model assessment for the FE system (see www.breeam.org for more information).
Reducing the footprint is not just about design, new build and refurbishment. Many LSC providers, such as independent learning providers, are not involved in LSC funded rebuilds. Therefore, it is important that emphasis is placed on reducing the footprint through ongoing management, such as having targets to use less energy.
There are opportunities here, not only with any planned refurbishment, new build and sustainable design. Good practice measures that can applied to existing buildings. This will be particularly important in light of the fact that the Government could set challenging targets through the Climate Change Bill. Having a new build will not be enough – all FE providers will need to keep improving the energy performance and consumption of their buildings.
Rationale
The FE system invests significant amounts in construction of new education establishments and in the refit and refurbishment of existing buildings. Delivering sustainable procurement will help to deliver real value for money over the longer term avoiding false economies or unnecessary hidden costs.The sector’s footprint covers three key environmental areas carbon, water and waste. In addressing these issues, FE providers have can have a number of positive influences such as:
- Help UK business competitiveness and innovation, by encouraging and supporting innovative solutions to new sustainable designs and products.
- Build genuinely sustainable communities, particularly through engaging with local suppliers and delivering corporate objectives.
There is a high degree of autonomy within the further education system which to some extent reflects the fact that a number of providers are leading the way in introducing sustainable procurement and operational processes within their own buildings and functions.
In January 2007, the LSC set out their "strategy for building greener colleges of the future", which for the first time states that providers must include green proposals in their designs if they are to win capital funding. Providers will be strongly encouraged to embed principles of sustainability in the design of their buildings and building systems. Buildings will in the future need to achieve a BREEAM excellent rating, and to meet and preferably exceed the requirements of Part L of the buildings regulations. Other criteria include approaches to maximise the use of natural lighting and ventilation, the use of solar and wind power, and reuse of rainwater. The approach aims to deliver “innovative, energy efficient and inspirational buildings”
The LSC is overcoming barriers to sustainable procurement by increasing the capital cost criteria available for sustainable elements of building design and construction. FE providers applying for capital grant support can now apply for an additional cost allowance of 5% of building costs to be ring fenced and used for elements in the building that address sustainability. FE providers that can demonstrate how their design exceeds the new requirements of Part L of the Building Regulations and addresses further sustainable issues are eligible for the allowance. Any increase in costs resulting from Part L will be covered by a regular twice-yearly increase of the LSC's capital costs criteria; this is in addition to the 10% allowance to reflect increases in sustainability . The LSC has commissioned a design guide (external website) for FE providers that will provide examples of best practice in the design of FE provider buildings. The LSC is also commissioning a BREEAM model assessment for the FE system (see www.breeam.org for more information).
