For all those in #climatechange debate tonight @Channel4News there’s a crucial angle missing. Traditional buildings are sustainable & last. Newer buildings often aren’t. The most sustainable building is an existing one. Thread. 1/4

We know how to build sustainably using materials that last & are high quality but this often isn’t the priority. The tax system however incentivises demolition & new build (0% VAT & permitted development for demolition) not repair & maintenance (usually 20%) #ClimateDebate 2/4

This is a perverse incentive against reuse & it’s time for a future Government to #cuttheVAT on repair & maintenance. New homes don’t need to be new build. There is floor space for 25,000 new homes identified in mills in Greater Manchester & Lancashire alone. #ClimateDebate 3/4

You can read more here in our #heritagemanifesto2019 https://www.theheritagealliance.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Manifesto-2019.pdf #ClimateDebate @Channel4News 4/4

Worth adding challenges of heating & the problems of maladaptation (when you seal up a building it's often not great in hot weather-when we face hotter summers & more heat waves.) Traditional sash windows were designed to maximise air flow: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2003/aug/06/highereducation.uk1 #climatedebate