Introduction
Reducing carbon emissions from buildings (both new and existing) is critical to meeting the target of carbon neutrality by 2030, as is making sure greater resilience to the anticipated impacts of climate change.
The Somerset West and Taunton Net Zero Carbon Toolkit helps to communicate what is involved in both delivering new net zero compliant buildings, and retrofitting existing buildings in striving towards Net Zero, and make knowledge on these issues more accessible.
The Toolkit
The Toolkit targets both building professionals and homeowners. It aims to be accessible, practical, and engaging. It sets out best practice for designing, specifying, constructing, and fitting out Net Zero new build or retrofit projects. The guidance covers early design stages, fabric energy efficiency, suitable systems, sources of expert advice, and project handover to occupants.
If you plan a new build or retrofit project, we strongly recommend using the Toolkit. It sets out aspirational targets and suggested processes, but it does not mandate compliance. Every property is different, so projects may still need advice from suitably qualified professionals.
The Toolkit complements Climate Positive Planning. It explains how design processes in the Districtwide Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document can support the delivery of Net Zero buildings. The Toolkit remains an aspirational guidance and communication tool, not a planning or corporate policy.
The council does not currently require zero carbon buildings through planning policy. However, officers and members can use the Toolkit as a useful resource. It helps them assess whether proposals respond ambitiously to existing policy requirements and the Climate Emergency as a material consideration.
The Somerset West and Taunton Net Zero Carbon Toolkit is an adaptation of a toolkit produced by Levitt Bernstein, Elementa, Passivhaus Trust and Etude, commissioned by Cotswold, West Oxfordshire and Forest of Dean councils, and funded by the Local Government Association Housing Advisers Programme, originally published in 2021. The original toolkit and Somerset West and Taunton’s adaptation are published on a Creative Commons Licence which allows for other councils to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format, and adapt and build on the work so long as they comply with the terms of the licence. To help others reach net zero and to speed up the UK’s collective response to the climate emergency, the Net Zero Carbon Toolkit is openly available as a resource for private and public sector organisations to use and adopt.
You can find further information about how the toolkit may be used on page 2 of the document.