RE: [Ekodum] uhlíkově nulové domy (fwd)

[Pavel Doleček <pavel_dolecek AT conel.cz>]

Dobrý den, 
  chtěl bych se zeptat, zda se neplánuje zařazení slaměných zateplovacích
řešení do programu "Zelená úsporám".
  Nemyslím, že by bylo nutné právě na tuto část získávat příspěvek, ale že
by mohla být započítána jako jeden z tří bodů povinných k uznání podpory pro
dotaci na ostatní technologie (např. okna, rekuperace, tepelné čerpadlo...)
Děkuji za odpověď.

Pavel Doleček




-----Original Message-----
From: ekodum-bounces AT fsv.cvut.cz [mailto:ekodum-bounces AT fsv.cvut.cz] On
Behalf Of Jan Hollan
Sent: Monday, June 15, 2009 8:29 PM
To: ekodum AT fsv.cvut.cz
Subject: [Ekodum] uhlíkově nulové domy (fwd)

probírám starou nepřečtenou poštu... poslední příspěvek v tomto souboru 
vědeckých novinek se týká domů. Tak trochu přitakává mému názoru, že 
pasivní stavební standard je poslední slovo, pokud jde o budovy samotné, 
že mluvit o domech nulových je trochu matoucí, zdá se, že i o domech 
uhlíkově nulových. Samozřejmě, plné využití osluněných ploch pro teplo- a 
elektrokolektory velmi podporuji.

Přeposílám to ale hlavně jako propagaci té služby. Normálně chodí i v html 
podobě. Však si ji objednejte.

pěkně zdraví
  váš stále zelený, ač asi ne trvale udržitelný jeník

PS. jinak (asi jen znovu) odkazuji na novější položky v mém soupisu 
publikací na http://amper.ped.muni.cz/pasiv/windows/JH_disertace
a na "depozitář" českých dokumentů ke klimatu, http://amper.ped.muni.cz/gw

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 28 May 2009 15:02:58 +0100
From: Science Env Policy <sfep AT uwe.ac.uk>
To: Undisclosed recipients:  ;
Subject: 'Science for Environment Policy' Issue 153: A service from the
European
      Commission

28 May, 2009
Issue 153

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Will protected areas remain effective in the face of climate change?
Protected areas conserve biodiversity, but there are concerns that they 
may be less effective if climate change causes shifts in the 
distribution of species. A new study models the future movement of 
sub-Saharan birds in protected areas. Although many species will move, 
most will find suitable habitats amongst the network of protected areas 
under a scenario of intermediate climate change. One per cent of 
endangered species will lose all suitable habitat from the region.(more...)

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Biodiesel from microalgae: energy recovery and waste issues
A recent French study explores ways to maximise the potential of using 
microalgae to produce biofuels. This includes issues surrounding 
management of the algal biomass waste, the reuse of the nitrogen and 
phosphorus inputs as fertilisers in cultivated production and recovery 
of methane as an additional source of energy from the algal waste.(more...)

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Climate change policies need integrating into all sectors
Climate change policies need to be integrated into all levels of 
governance, from water management to energy, and across all sectors, 
from agriculture to traffic, according to a new report. As climate 
change initiatives interact with existing polices, across-the-board 
support is needed if climate change issues are to be successfully 
tackled. (more...)

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North Sea needs more protection from nutrient inputs
Reductions in the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus flowing from rivers 
into the North Sea have had clear benefits on marine health in coastal 
waters, according to a recent study. However, the reductions are less 
effective in improving the condition of deeper offshore waters. Tougher 
measures to manage nutrient loads and prevent eutrophication are 
recommended.(more...)

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Capturing carbon straight from the air: what are the costs?
Carbon capture from power plants has gained much attention as a means 
to decrease greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). A recent study assesses an 
alternative method that directly removes carbon dioxide from the air. 
The findings indicate that this method is comparable in costs to the 
mitigation costs estimated by the IPCC and the Stern report.(more...)

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Zero carbon homes: house builders give their perspective
A new study has surveyed major house builders in the UK to understand 
what is needed if all new homes are to be zero carbon by 2016. The 
house builders generally felt that it is not an impossible challenge, 
but a comprehensive approach with clear guidelines, supported by 
necessary legislation is required. The results provide important 
lessons for sustainable construction programmes in other countries.(more...)

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Opinions expressed in this News Alert do not necessarily reflect those 
of the European Commission.


FULL ARTICLES

  Will protected areas remain effective in the face of climate change?

Protected areas conserve biodiversity, but there are concerns that they 
may be less effective if climate change causes shifts in the 
distribution of species. A new study models the future movement of 
sub-Saharan birds in protected areas. Although many species will move, 
most will find suitable habitats amongst the network of protected areas 
under a scenario of intermediate climate change. One per cent of 
endangered species will lose all suitable habitat from the region.

To help stop biodiversity loss in Europe, the EU has set up a network 
of over 26,000 protected areas forming the Natura 2000 network1. These 
represent more than 20 per cent of total EU territory. They have been 
established on the basis of the current distribution of species.

Climate change will have large impacts on biodiversity and will cause 
shifts in the distribution of species as they search for new, suitable 
habitat. In the case of the protected areas, these shifts could be 
outside the boundaries of protected areas or it could cause new species 
to move into the protected area. However, the designated sites 
constitute valuable space for nature, possibly allowing other species 
to move in.

The study looked at the network of Important Bird Areas (IBAs) across 
sub-Saharan Africa to test its resilience in the face of climate 
change. In total there were 1608 bird species, including 815 priority 
species (species that are vulnerable to extinction). The model 
projected data for three future time periods (2025, 2055 and 2085) and 
three future climate scenarios. For each IBA, it modelled turnover â?" 
the sum total of incoming and emigrating species, and 'species 
persistence' - the proportion of species for which the climate remains 
suitable.

Across all IBAs, the projected turnover of whole bird communities and 
subsets of endangered birds increased with time. Median turnover in 
2085 was 20 to 26 per cent for all birds and 35 to 45 per cent for 
priority species. This indicates a large shift in ranges. There was 
variability across the continent. For example, areas of high turnover 
are evident in a band running east to south-east across southern Africa 
to the Ethiopian highlands.

Despite these shifts, the projected proportion of species that would 
remain in all IBAs is remarkably high - about 74 to 80 per cent of all 
birds in 2085. For endangered species, the figures are even better - 88 
to 92 per cent of endangered species are projected to retain suitable 
habitat by 2085 in at least one IBA where they occur currently. For a 
further 62 to 93 species, suitable habitat will become newly available 
in protected areas where they are currently absent. Only 7 to 8 
endangered species are expected to lose all suitable habitat from the
network.

Nevertheless, the authors acknowledge the importance of the shifts in 
species distribution and suggest a number of recommendations. In 
particular, the results highlight the need for regionally focused 
management approaches. For example, increasing the number and size of 
protected areas, providing 'stepping stones' between habitats and 
protected areas and restoring critical types of habitat, as well as 
ensuring that the current IBA network is adequately protected into the
future.

The authors are currently repeating the project for IBAs across Europe, 
including many Natura 2000 sites. They expect the results to be 
published in around a year's time.


1.See http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/index_en.htm

Source: Hole, D.G., Willis, S.G., Pain, D.J. et al. (2009). Projected 
impacts of climate change on a continent-wide protected area network. 
Ecology Letters. 12: 420-431.

Contact: s.g.willis AT durham.ac.uk

Theme(s): Biodiversity, Climate change and energy



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  Biodiesel from microalgae: energy recovery and waste issues

A recent French study explores ways to maximise the potential of using 
microalgae to produce biofuels. This includes issues surrounding 
management of the algal biomass waste, the reuse of the nitrogen and 
phosphorus inputs as fertilisers in cultivated production and recovery 
of methane as an additional source of energy from the algal waste.

Microalgae contain oils, or 'lipids', that can be converted into 
biodiesel. The idea of using microalgae to produce fuel is not new, but 
has received recent renewed attention in the search for sustainable 
energy. Biodiesel is typically produced from plant oils, but there are 
widely-voiced concerns about the sustainability of this practice. 
Biodiesel produced from microalgae is being investigated as an 
alternative to using conventional crops, such as rapeseed: microalgae 
typically produce more oil, consume less space and could be grown on 
land unsuitable for agriculture. However, many technical and 
environmental issues, such as land use and fertiliser input still need 
to be researched and large-scale commercial production has still not 
been attained.

Using microalgae as a source of biofuels could mean that enormous 
cultures of algae are grown for commercial production, which would 
require large quantities of fertilisers. While microalgae are estimated 
to be capable of producing 10-20 times more biodiesel than rapeseed, 
they need 55 to 111 times more nitrogen fertiliser: 8-16 tonnes per 
hectare per year. Such quantities of nitrogen and phosphorus could 
damage the environment. Additionally, it could limit the economic 
viability of using microalgae. Nitrogen and phosphorus found in algal 
waste, after the oils have been extracted, must therefore be recycled. 
The research suggests that 'anaerobic digestion' could accomplish this goal.

Anaerobic digestion of the algal waste produces carbon dioxide, methane 
and ammonia. Left-over nitrogen and phosphorus compounds can be reused 
as fertiliser to the algal process. Using the methane as an energy 
source can further enhance energy recovery from the process.

In the laboratory study, the researchers highlighted some key issues to 
be addressed in microalgal production:

â?˘Sodium (in salt) can inhibit the anaerobic digestion process when 
using marine algae, although researchers suggest suitable bacteria 
(anaerobic digesters) can adapt.
â?˘Digestion of the algae can be enhanced and the methane yield 
increased by physical or chemical pre-treatment to break down cell 
walls and make the organic matter in the cells more accessible.
â?˘The nitrogen content of certain algae can be high, resulting in 
greater levels of ammonia which can also inhibit the digestion process. 
One strategy to overcome this problem uses a 'codigestion' process, 
whereby other organic waste, which is higher in carbon and lower in 
nitrogen, is added to the algal waste. For example, paper waste, food 
waste or sewage sludge can be added to the process. However, this can 
raise questions concerning 'downcycling', which is generally discouraged.
â?˘Another strategy would be to choose species of microalgae that 
naturally have a higher carbon to nitrogen ratio.

The results suggest that if the lipid content of the microalgae is less 
than 40 per cent, more overall energy would be recovered if just 
methane is produced directly from the algae, without first extracting 
the lipids. This method of methane production would need to be fully 
assessed against other methods, such as biomethane production from 
waste, to understand its viability. However, if the goal is to produce 
biodiesel, the key implication is that the species of microalgae used 
for cultivation should be chosen carefully: the algae should have 
greater than 40 per cent lipid content. Additional energy recovery 
through methane is then possible through anaerobic digestion of the 
algal waste after oil extraction.

Source: Sialve, B., Bernet, N., Bernard, O. (2009). Anaerobic digestion 
of microalgae as a necessary step to make microalgal biodiesel 
sustainable. Biotechnology Advances. doi:10.1016/j.biotechadv.2009.03.001.

Contact: bruno.sialve AT naskeo.com

Theme(s): Biotechnology, Climate change and energy, Sustainable 
consumption and production



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  Climate change policies need integrating into all sectors

Climate change policies need to be integrated into all levels of 
governance, from water management to energy, and across all sectors, 
from agriculture to traffic, according to a new report1. As climate 
change initiatives interact with existing polices, across-the-board 
support is needed if climate change issues are to be successfully tackled.

The authors assessed how far climate change policy has been integrated 
into all levels of governance in six European countries: Denmark, 
Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom.

The study found that governments show widespread support for climate 
change policies, which are increasingly integrated into national 
strategies. For example, in Denmark in 2005, climate change was 
mentioned six times in the 2005 government programme, but was included 
79 times in the 2007 programme. But dealing with climate change is 
complex. The researchers suggest that strategies must be integrated 
through local, national, regional and global levels, if major changes 
in production and consumption are to be made.

For example, adaptation strategies with a regional or local focus 
(concerning water management and agriculture, for example) need to be 
supported with appropriate financial and legal frameworks at national 
and European levels. National mitigation strategies need to be 
implemented by local and regional decision-makers across all sectors, 
such as traffic and energy. In particular, this includes greater 
integration with specific policy instruments: land use planning and 
annual budgeting are examples of instruments through which mitigation 
and adaptation strategies can be implemented.

The impact of extreme weather events, such as the flooding of the 
rivers Rhine and Meuse in the Netherlands (1993 and 1995) and the Elbe 
and the Mulde (2002) in Germany have led to the integration of 
adaptation into strategies for specific policy sectors. And many 
cities, for example, Copenhagen, Rotterdam and Helsinki, have set 
ambitious climate commitments.

Policy makers face many challenges in integrating climate policy into 
an increasing number of policy sectors. Contentious issues, including 
nuclear power, hydropower, taxation and mobility, have become part of 
the climate change debate. As well as managing technical and political 
trade-offs, decision-makers are also advised by researchers to 
recognise and address public concerns early on to implement climate 
policies successfully.

The report suggests the recent global economic downturn can be viewed 
as an opportunity to promote climate change measures. Supported by 
innovation, new markets and enterprises, mitigation and adaptation 
policies could benefit both industry and the climate. But it cautions 
that technical changes must be socially acceptable to avoid new conflicts.

Greater understanding of the complexity of climate change will develop 
from ongoing research. Climate integration policies and programmes 
should be based on the best available information and evaluated before 
and after implementation to learn from past experience. Sufficient 
resources are crucial to finding alternative solutions to climate 
change and for successfully integrating them into the appropriate policies.

There is the opportunity to combine climate change with other issues, 
such as energy security. But climate change measures must be applied 
consistently and, if necessary, with sufficient political weight to 
ensure climate polices are integrated across all levels of governance.

1.See: http://peer-initiative.org/media/m235_PEER_Report2.pdf
Source: Mickwitz, P., Aix, F., Beck, S. et al. (2009). Climate Policy 
Integration, Coherence and Governance. PEER Report No 2. Helsinki: 
Partnership for European Environmental Research.

Contact: per.mickwitz AT ymparisto.fi

Theme(s): Climate change and energy, Sustainable development and policy 
assessment



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  North Sea needs more protection from nutrient inputs

Reductions in the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus flowing from rivers 
into the North Sea have had clear benefits on marine health in coastal 
waters, according to a recent study. However, the reductions are less 
effective in improving the condition of deeper offshore waters. Tougher 
measures to manage nutrient loads and prevent eutrophication are
recommended.

Reductions in nutrient levels in recent years are the result of the 
PARCOM recommendation of the OSPAR Commission1, signed in 1988. 
Together with the European Commission, OSPAR links fifteen governments 
in Western Europe to protect and conserve the marine environment of the 
North-East Atlantic. PARCOM is not legally binding, but functions as a 
guideline in designing measures to reduce nutrient inputs. In 1997, 
OSPAR developed the Common Procedure (OSPAR CP) for the Identification 
of the Eutrophication Status of Maritime Areas. A set of Ecological 
Quality Objectives (EcoQO) were established as criteria to assess 
eutrophication status.

PARCOM calls for a 50 per cent reduction in dissolved inorganic 
nitrogen and phosphorus flowing into the sea by 2010 compared with 1985 
levels. Nutrients released into rivers and estuaries by human 
activities, such as agriculture, are the main cause of eutrophication. 
Eutrophication causes accelerated growth of algae and other plant life, 
affecting the balance of organisms and water quality.

The researchers, working under the EU ECOOP project2, modelled the 
effects of reduced nutrient flows during 1985-2006 on five marine zones 
of the North Sea near the Netherlands and Germany. They used river and 
nutrient load data from countries surrounding the North Sea in the 3D 
physical-chemical-biological model to identify the long-term effects on 
marine health. Influencing factors taken into account included water 
temperature, salinity, climate, heat fluxes, wind stress, atmospheric 
pressure fields, tides, radiation and light.

Nutrient levels in the sea dropped in line with the 50 per cent 
reduction measures. The results indicated that the three study areas 
closer to major estuaries rapidly responded to the measures. For 
example, average winter concentrations in these areas were reduced by 
50 per cent for nitrogen and 35 per cent for phosphorus, stabilising 
after 2-3 years. The greatest reductions in nutrient concentrations are 
along the Dutch coast. In contrast, offshore areas were affected by 
reductions to a lesser extent with only a very weak increase in oxygen 
levels. Decreased oxygen levels are a symptom of eutrophication. 
However, the complex interplay of tides, currents and winds influence 
oxygen levels, and this interplay is likely to have prevented the 
effects of reduced nutrients reaching offshore areas. While there were 
some limits to the model, the results broadly corresponded with direct 
measurements observed in previous research.

The OSPAR CP and EcoQOs have obvious strengths due to their clear goals 
and simplicity, and the nutrient reductions achieved as the result of 
PARCOM have led to some important improvements. However, the 
researchers believe that a 50 per cent reduction is not sufficient for 
the North Sea. Further reductions are needed to prevent eutrophication 
in the long term, especially under a changing climate. Climate change 
may cause increased nutrient inputs, for example.

The researchers call for an international nutrient monitoring and 
modelling programme, with a common system of measuring and classifying. 
Harmonising the eutrophication strategies of OSPAR, the EU's Water 
Framework Directive3 and the European Marine Strategy4 is one of the 
greatest challenges facing the North Sea, they suggest.


1.See: www.ospar.org 
2.ECOOP (European Coastal sea Operational Observing and Forecasting 
System) was supported by the European Commission under the Sixth 
Framework Programme. See: www.ecoop.eu 
3.See: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-framework/index_en.html
4.See: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/marine/index_en.htm

Source: Skogen, M. and Mathisen, L. (2009). Long-term effects of 
reduced nutrient inputs to the North Sea. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf 
Science. 82(3): 433-442.

Contact: morten AT imr.no

Theme(s): Marine ecosystems, Water


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  Capturing carbon straight from the air: what are the costs?

Carbon capture from power plants has gained much attention as a means 
to decrease greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). A recent study assesses an 
alternative method that directly removes carbon dioxide from the air. 
The findings indicate that this method is comparable in costs to the 
mitigation costs estimated by the IPCC and the Stern report.

Targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions have been set at both a 
global and a European level. The European Union is committed to cutting 
its GHGs by at least 20 per cent of 1990 levels by 20201. Much focus 
has recently been on the capture and storage of carbon dioxide from 
power plants as a means of cutting GHGs.

However, the method of 'air capture' has received little attention. Air 
capture is the direct removal of carbon dioxide from the ambient air. 
Various methods have been suggested and some have been operationally 
tested. For example, systems have been developed using sodium hydroxide 
and lime to remove carbon dioxide. Since it is likely that the 
technology for air capture will only develop in coming years, this 
research examines the economics of this method.

Using predictions from the US Energy Information Agency and from the 
International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the study performs a 
simple calculation to estimate the amount of global carbon dioxide 
present in the atmosphere for the 21st century. It then estimates the 
costs of air capture for two different levels of CO2 stabilisation - 
450 parts per million (ppm) and 550 ppm. Since estimates vary for the 
cost of air capture, it uses three values and expresses the costs of 
air capture as a percentage of global GDP.

The Stern report2 estimates the costs of mitigation in order to 
stabilise CO2 at 450 ppm to be about 1 per cent of global GDP in 2100. 
Using the report's assumptions for GDP growth of 2.5 per cent per year, 
the study estimates that air capture could cost from 0.5 to 2.7 per 
cent of global GDP, depending on the cost of the technology. Using the 
IPCC GDP growth projection of 2.9 per cent per year, the cost of using 
air capture to stabilise CO2 at 450 ppm would be 0.4 to 2.1 per cent of 
global GDP.

The author warns that making global cost estimates for a complex set of 
interrelated systems is an uncertain business. However, the analysis 
shows that air capture compares favourably with the cost estimates for 
mitigation provided in these reports if making similar assumptions to 
the IPCC and Stern reports. In addition, because the cost of air 
capture technology is likely to decrease over time it may be more 
financially advantageous. Although the imprecise nature of these 
results cannot prove air capture to be superior, they do indicate that 
it should receive similar levels of attention and analysis as other 
approaches.


1.See
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/29&format=HTML
&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en 
2.See www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/sternreview_index.htm

Source: Pielke, R.A. Jr. (2009). An idealized assessment of the 
economics of air capture of carbon dioxide in mitigation policy. 
Environmental Science & Policy. 12: 216-225.

Contact: pielke AT colorado.edu;

Theme(s): Climate change and energy, Environmental technologies




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  Zero carbon homes: house builders give their perspective

A new study has surveyed major house builders in the UK to understand 
what is needed if all new homes are to be zero carbon by 2016. The 
house builders generally felt that it is not an impossible challenge, 
but a comprehensive approach with clear guidelines, supported by 
necessary legislation is required. The results provide important 
lessons for sustainable construction programmes in other countries.

In April 2009, the European Parliament voted on amendments to 
strengthen a proposal of the European Commission to recast the Energy 
Performance of Buildings Directive (2002/91/EC)1. The residential and 
tertiary sector, the major part of which is buildings, accounts for 
more than 40 per cent of energy consumption in the EU. Europe could 
thus make a considerable contribution to meeting Kyoto targets by 
applying tougher standards to buildings. The UK has set itself a 
'world-beating' target: aiming for all new homes to be zero carbon by 
2016 in its 'Code for Sustainable Homes'2, published in 2006. In order 
to be zero carbon, buildings must generate as much energy as they consume.

The Code for Sustainable Homes uses environmental impact rating system 
of 1 to 6 to indicate overall sustainability of a new house: a rating 
of 6 equates to a zero carbon home, which specifies that required 
domestic energy must be generated from renewable sources. This exceeds 
other international housing standards. For example, Germany's 
'PassivHaus' sets a maximum level of energy usage (15 kWh/m2 a year for 
heating and cooling), but does not specify the source of energy.

The house builders' responses to the survey suggest:

â?˘The Code for Sustainable Homes is a significant driver of zero 
carbon homes.
â?˘New technologies and products would also significantly help 
builders achieve the target. Zero carbon homes are not considered 
possible with todayâ?Ts technologies and so the supply chain is seen 
as a major barrier. Sufficient resources are needed for the government 
and building industry to research and develop appropriate and 
cost-effective technologies.
â?˘There are no financial incentives for producing zero carbon homes. 
Additionally, there is much uncertainty about how much it will cost to 
build a zero carbon building, but it is generally considered to be more 
than a standard house.
â?˘The most significant legislative barrier was an unclear definition 
of 'zero carbon'. Builders were unsure of the requirements, for 
example, the need to provide onsite renewable energy. Appropriate 
guidelines would be beneficial. For instance, does renewable energy 
distributed at a district level by Energy Service Companies (ESCos), 
rather than onsite, count towards zero carbon status?
â?˘There was concern over the reliability of renewable technologies. 
An alternative and more cost-effective solution to providing onsite 
renewable energy would be to distribute renewable energy from ESCos.
â?˘Consumers need to be made aware of the benefits of zero carbon 
homes, although there have been recent signs of increased demand for 
such homes. As such, the house builders called for the government to 
act upon this growing demand and legislate to create a national market 
for zero carbon homes.


1.See: http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/l27042.htm
2.See: www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/professionals/en/1115314116927.html

Source: Osmani, M. and O'Reilly. (2009). Feasibility of zero carbon 
homes in England by 2016: A house builder's perspective. Building and 
Environment. 44:1917-1924.

Contact: m.osmani AT lboro.ac.uk

Theme(s): Climate change and energy, Sustainable consumption and production


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