UK climbs to third in global league of green building

A global index to measure the progress of countries towards creating a zero carbon built environment in terms of energy consumption and production has put Norway at the top, with Brazil second and the UK in third place. Based on International Energy Agency (IEA) data, the index covers 34 countries around the world and aims to measure the progress of countries towards creating zero carbon built environments (following a pilot last year). Top of the index for both 2008 and 2009 is Norway - a country that also performs better than average on carbon emissions per unit of GDP. The 2009 RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) Global Zero Carbon Capacity Index was authored by Professor Yvonne Rydin, Co-director of the UCL (University College London) Environment Institute. The index measures energy efficiency in households, offices and domestic transport as well as investment in renewable energy and introduction of policy packages to reduce carbon consumption within the built environment. Buildings consume a massive 40% of total energy globally, outstripping the transport and industrial sectors. The transition from a high carbon to a carbon neutral built environment is therefore a critical element in the fight against climate change.