New POST work: January 2021
The POST board has approved 4 new POSTnotes and POSTbriefs. Coastal management, Environmentally efficient residential building, Net zero and decarbonising construction and Remote and flexible working.

Distributed ledger technology (DLT) is a type of digital records system that allows multiple identical copies of a ledger to be stored on different computers on a network and updated by multiple different users. This POSTbrief provides a technical overview of the different types of DLT and how they work. It discusses some of the main applications of DLT and highlights the benefits and challenges of the technology.
Distributed Ledger Technology (198 KB, PDF)
A conventional ledger is simply a records system that is managed and maintained by a trusted authority. For example, a bank records its customers’ financial transactions and the Driving and Vehicle Licencing Agency maintains an up-to-date ledger of everyone who has a driving licence. Traditionally these records were paper based, however, modern ledgers usually exist electronically on a database. Distributed ledger technology (DLT) is a technology that allows multiple identical copies of a ledger to be stored on different computers on a network and updated by multiple different users.
DLT has attracted a lot of attention in recent years as it is the technology that underpins cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin. Cryptocurrencies are the main application of DLT, however, there are a variety of other emerging applications of the technology. The finance sector has been particularly interested DLT for activities including transferring financial assets (such as shares) and streamlining cross border payments. DLT is also being explored for applications including supply chain management, energy trading and government operations. A number of DLT trial projects are taking place across industry and UK Government.
This POSTbrief provides a technical overview of the different types of DLT and how they work. It discusses some of the main applications of DLT and highlights the benefits and challenges of the technology.
POSTbriefs are responsive policy briefings from the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology. This POSTbrief is based on a literature review, interviews with external stakeholders and peer review. POST would like to thank interviewees and peer reviewers for kindly giving up their time during the preparation of this briefing, including:
*Denotes external reviewers of the briefing
Image: © FlyerDiaries.com
Distributed Ledger Technology (198 KB, PDF)
The POST board has approved 4 new POSTnotes and POSTbriefs. Coastal management, Environmentally efficient residential building, Net zero and decarbonising construction and Remote and flexible working.
A POSTnote on green building will summarise the key criteria affecting the environmental performance of buildings. It will review the challenges and opportunities for improving the UK housing stock to meet likely future standards.
A POSTbrief on decarbonising construction will discuss opportunities for achieving net-zero in the built environment. It will look at options for reducing carbon emissions across the lifecycle of buildings and how this could inform sustainability targets and construction standards. It will provide an overview of innovations in low carbon building materials and the technologies that could be incorporated into buildings to reduce emissions.