A socio-technical framework of zero-carbon building policies

Abstract

AbstractZero-carbon building (ZCB) is regarded as an innovative and important approach to reducing both carbon emissions and energy consumption. Policies promoting ZCB have been explicitly set in several countries and regions. Other countries have developed relevant initiatives or demonstration projects. However, the sharing of knowledge of policies on ZCB is limited and challenging. A socio-technical transition framework is developed based on an examination of ZCB policies and the supporting literature. This framework depicts the technical systems of ZCB policies within the regulatory, social and geographical contexts. The technical systems comprise four components: carbon reduction targets and a timeline; a ZCB definition and scope; a carbon emission measure and indicator; and a reliance on renewable energy. This systems approach shows that reliance on only technical solutions is constrained to achieving the zero-carbon target, yet human behaviours are poorly addressed in the policies. Thus, a significant gap exists between policy intentions and actual practices. The developed framework can inform discussion on current and future ZCB policies.Keywords: carbon emissionenergy policynet-zerosocio-technical systemstakeholder engagementzero-carbon building AcknowledgementsThe authors are grateful to the Editor and four anonymous reviewers for helpful comments made on earlier versions of the paper.FundingThe authors would like to acknowledge the support from The University of Hong Kong through the Seed Funding for Basis Research Scheme and from the Construction Industry Council Research Fund on feasibility of delivering high-rise low/zero-carbon buildings in Hong Kong.Notes1 The terms ‘early adopters’, ‘majorities’ and ‘late adopters’ are adopted from the innovation theory (e.g. Rogers, Citation2003).2 See http://www.buildup.eu/factsheets/.3 The ASBEC's Zero Emissions Residential Task Group was renamed as the Sustainable Housing Task Group in October 2012, with a broadened scope of sustainability.