Building the future today - Executive summary - Transforming the economic and carbon performance of the buildings we work in (CTC766)

What would a carbon reduction target of at least 80% mean for non-domestic buildings in the UK, both in terms of Government policies, and subsequent action from industry, needed to deliver it?

Non-domestic buildings - Commercial buildings such as offices, shops and hotels; the large number of public sector buildings; and industrial buildings - are critical in the move to a low carbon economy. They account for 18% of the UK's total carbon emissions. The Carbon Trust believes that they can and must play a significant role in reducing the UK’s CO₂ emissions.

• Non-domestic buildings use as much energy as Switzerland produces in a year.
• Non-domestic buildings are where the UK generates a large proportion of its GDP, and it is where most of us spend the majority of our waking hours.