CIBSE launches register for low-carbon consultants

An important step forward in reducing carbon emissions from new and existing buildings has been taken with the launch of a register for professionals trained and able to comply with the new Part L of the Building Regulations. It is run by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers and supported by the Carbon Trust. The scheme was launched at the CIBSE National Conference last month, and has been officially welcomed by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The aim is to work with the Government to enable the scheme to be approved so that members can self-certify compliance with the Building Regulations using their professional expertise to improve compliance while relieving burdens on constructors and building-control bodies. Donald Leeper, president of CIBSE, said, ‘The “Low-carbon consultants register” will make an important contribution to our ability to limit carbon emissions from buildings. It will be open to those trained and competent individuals who can design, build and operate buildings which will be energy efficient. It will form a major new resource for companies by offering easy access to individuals who can help them gain the financial and ethical benefits of addressing their carbon emissions.’ CIBSE believes that professionals on the register will be highly sought after, given the current shortages of expert help in this rapidly growing field, which will in due course include the certification of building-energy performance required by the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. The criteria for joining the register will include detailed knowledge of the Building Regulations for energy-efficiency requirements in the UK. Inclusion on the register will be by examination, and consultants will be required to undertake continuing professional development and make annual carbon-saving returns to demonstrate how much carbon they have saved through their work as low-carbon consultants. CIBSE will use the carbon returns to demonstrate that its low-carbon consultants can deliver and operate buildings at a consistently higher standard than the minimum required by the Building Regulations. lowcarbonconsultants@cibse.org