Built Environment

Definition of the Built Environment

“Built environment refers to the human-made environment that provides the setting for human activity, ranging in scale from buildings to cities and beyond.” UNESCO

The built environment faces a number of challenges from climate change. Not only is energy use in and around domestic properties the second largest contributor to carbon emissions in the area, but the communities in and around these built environments are already feeling the impacts of climate change.

The challenges in this sector going forward are two-fold. Firstly, new builds and retrofits of existing properties, residential and commercial, should ensure that the built  environment is fit for the future,

both in terms of their impact on climate change, and their resilience against its impacts. At the same time, it is important that developments continue to be considered economically viable once measures are incorporated. 

The communities of South and East Lincolnshire are rural in nature with high proportions of off-gas grid properties still reliant on solid-fuel systems. A range of initiatives will be required to find solutions to make the most of opportunities presented by alternative methods of heating residents homes.

All new developments must meet the energy efficiency standards required by UK Building Regulations. These standards are expected to be updated for new homes, including restrictions on gas boiler sales amongst other measures.

The challenges of retrofitting listed buildings and those in conservation areas must also be considered so that their thermal efficiency can be improved without compromising their heritage. There is also an increasing understanding of the need to reduce embodied carbon in new build and retrofit schemes and this is likely to gain further traction in the next few years.

Who make up the subgroup – background/roles etc…

The SELCAN Built Environment sub-group includes representatives from across multiple sectors including developers, businesses, environmental consultants, wildlife charities, universities, DEFRA arm’s length bodies and environmental NGOs.

What the sub-group’s aims/priorities are

The group aims to work in partnership across sectors to help ensure the built environment is resilient to climate change. This includes supporting residents and businesses to reduce their energy use and reduce their carbon footprint and by working with other sub-groups to develop a low carbon fuel vehicle policy for the area.

The group will also work with developers to help find solutions which make new builds and retrofits more sustainable, energy efficient and affordable. This will include changes to procurement practices, the use of water in construction and promoting the effective use of green infrastructure to meet the needs of the communities within the built environment.

The group will also work to ensure that climate change mitigation and adaptation are embedded within planning policy.