LETI: How to build sustainably

Syntegra is delighted to support the London Energy Transformation  Initiative (LETI) – a network of more than 1,000 built environment professionals working together to develop the UK’s net zero whole life carbon future.

Despite its roots in London, LETI provides guidance to teams working on new build projects across the country about how to build sustainably now – and how requirements relating to whole life carbon (WLC) will be mandatory by 2030.

The way LETI believe this can be achieved is via the following mechanisms:

• Mandating embodied and whole life carbon assessment.
• Mandate a two-fold verification system: at the Design Stage and at Practical Completion Stage.

Net Zero Whole Life Carbon, is formed of two key components:  Operational ‘In Use’ Carbon and Material and Design based Embodied Carbon.

LETI, a voluntary group is made up of developers, engineers, housing associations, architects, planners, academics, sustainability professionals, contractors and facilities managers, with support and input provided by the GLA, Local Authorities and other organisations.

It has recently devised a Part L Campaign and developed consensus within UK industry on a definition for Net Zero Operational Carbon. In 2020, LETI launched the Climate Emergency Design Guide, which outlines requirements of new buildings to ensure the UK’s climate change targets are met.

Last year, the organisation published guidance on Hydrogen, Carbon Alignment, a Client Guide for Net Zero Carbon Buildings and the Climate Emergency Retrofit Guide.

LETI’s stated activities include:

→  engaging with stakeholders to develop a robust and rapid energy reduction approach, producing effective solutions to the energy trilemma of security, sustainability, and affordability

→  working with authorities to create practicable policy alterations to ensure the regulatory system is fit for purpose, placing verified performance at its core

→  encouraging and enabling collaboration between built environment professionals

→  providing technical advice to support exemplar developments, enabling pioneers who aspire to go beyond the current regulatory frameworks

Syntegra MD Alan King said: ‘LETI is an excellent organisation bringing together some of the most forward thinking individuals in the area of sustainability.

‘As everyone is a professional in the built environment, best practice is shared widely and efficiently and the authorities readily accept their guidance as valid and appropriate for adoption across the country.

‘LETI’s work will make the transition to net whole life carbon much easier and practical to implement over the next few years.’