The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), has welcomed the new strategic framework launched by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), including especially the announcement that it is to become the first major UK funding body to require all large projects to undertake carbon footprinting as part of their application.
IHBC President Trefor Thorpe said: ‘This is great news from the HLF, and an important step for the sector as a whole. HLF’s recognition of carbon footprint was a major aspect of the IHBC’s response to their forward strategy consultation in 2011, so we can be especially proud of our influence there as well!
‘The IHBC said that such carbon footprinting would mark ‘a sea-change for the sector’. I’m delighted to say that, with its introduction, we can pinpoint the very start of that sea-change.’
‘As the real environmental cost of heritage works is better expressed, the widest benefits of conservation can be highlighted, both to business and government. The HLF’s early demands for the clear articulation of community benefits in conservation projects helped us show the value we add there. Now almost every substantial development must identify neighbourhood and community benefits, and because of the natural links with communities, conservation works have a very useful head start.’
‘Of course we have a long way to go in demonstrating the true cost differential between new build and repair or refurbishment, but I’m delighted to see that our heritage sector will once again lead practice in how we manage our built resources sustainably.’
Jo Evans, IHBC Chair, said: ‘With this new requirement from the HLF to articulate real carbon reduction benefits, the heritage sector can once again lead practice for the construction industry. We will learn to express better just how conservation-based works bring the widest environmental benefits, not least to local trades, skills and materials, by reducing carbon emissions.’
‘We’re also keen to see how the new plan will help support the wider sectors responsible for so much of the undesignated historic environment – from buildings using traditional construction to our much-loved neighbourhoods.’
‘The special skills required to look after such places must become part of the mainstream construction industry. We hope that under its new strategy the HLF’s resources will be able to shape thinking about standards there too.’
‘Clearly the IHBC has a substantial role to play in this rapidly changing landscape, and we’re delighted that the HLF is giving us, and our members, the chance to take a lead here.’
HLF writes:
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced that it is to become the first major UK funding body to require all large projects to undertake carbon footprinting as part of their application.
Announced as HLF sets out its new strategic framework for 2013 – 2018, HLF will now ask all applicants requesting funding above £2m to measure the carbon footprint of their projects.
With so many HLF-supported projects involving building expansion and a growth in visitor numbers, HLF’s Board of Trustees felt it was increasingly important that calculating the environmental impact of projects should form part of their decision-making process.
HLF is working with sustainability consultants Best Foot Forward to provide applicants with a footprinting tool* so that they can measure their environmental impact. As part of an HLF second-round application they will be required to calculate the carbon footprint of the utilities consumption and visitor travel associated with their projects, and encouraged to pursue reductions. The tool will help calculate the impact of making changes in order to achieve reductions in carbon emissions through energy efficiency, better buildings and renewable energy and by encouraging visitors to switch to public transport, walking and cycling.
HLF and Best Foot Forward have already piloted the tool with a number of grantees, including Britten 100, the British Museum and the Whitworth Art Gallery. ??Dame Jenny Abramsky, Chair of HLF, said: ‘The projects we fund provide lasting benefits to local communities but they also have a carbon impact which can’t be ignored. The Heritage Lottery Fund is doing what it can to reduce the effects of climate change upon heritage by leading the way to ensure that carbon footprinting is a key part of the development process so that the projects we support are environmentally sustainable for the future.’
Jacob Wallace, Consultant at Best Foot Forward, added: ‘Carbon footprinting can’t just be an afterthought anymore and the Heritage Lottery Fund is right to make it an integral part of the funding process. This exciting development is significant in scope: it will influence millions of pounds worth of funding and the behaviour of millions of visitors.’
New funding policies and initiatives includes plans to:
· offer support for building organisational resilience in the heritage sector, through supporting the development of skills, including running a further round of the Skills for the Future programme; offering development funding and professional mentoring to develop robust projects and introducing start-up grants and transition funding for organisations needing to cope with new challenges;
· kick start philanthropy through providing endowments and smaller grants for capacity building and support for fundraising training;
· stimulate local economic growth with a new Heritage Enterprise scheme designed to fund partnerships – including social and private enterprises – to develop sustainable new uses for the most challenging historic sites;
· recognise the size and scale of the environmental impact of our funding by becoming the first major funding body to require carbon footprinting as part of the application process for projects over £2m;
· lead the way in encouraging the sector to use digital technology, by asking HLF-supported projects to make their digital content widely available at no charge. HLF will also fund stand-alone digital projects;
· extend HLF support for heritage in private ownership under the Our Heritage programme (£10,000 to £100,000) for physical works to heritage provided they achieve a step-change in terms of public access and engagement;
· continue to make applying to HLF more straightforward, with the introduction of Sharing Heritage – a new very simple grant programme for smaller projects needing £3,000-£10,000;
· create online communities to showcase good practice and encourage the exchange of ideas and innovations;
· and increase the maximum grants for the Landscape Partnerships Programme from £2m to £3m and expand the geographical area it will support.
See the IHBC’s response to the HLF consultation on its forward strategy at: LINK
View the Best Foot Forward’s carbon footprinting tool, Footprint Reporter at: LINK
For the summary of funding programmes and initiatives see: LINK
For the outcomes see: LINK
View HLF’s strategic framework publication in full, with consultation summary, linked at: LINK
Civil Society News: LINK
