Govt plans for zero carbon new homes
Wednesday, 13 Dec 2006 17:25
New homes are set to become carbon neutral by 2016 the government announced today
Plans to tighten-up building regulations over the next decade to make new homes more energy efficient and environmentally friendly were announced today by the government.
Housing minister Yvette Cooper outlined her plans for 'zero carbon' homes - properties that have no net emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from all home energy use - in a step towards making all new homes carbon neutral by 2016.
Around 27 per cent of the country's carbon emissions come from the energy used to heat, light and run homes, the minister said, adding the new measures would also lower fuel bills.
"With a rising population and more people living in smaller households the demands on housing are only set to increase," Ms Cooper said.
"It is vital that homes and other buildings are as sustainable and eco-friendly as possible.
"Further tough action is still needed to deliver significant energy use reductions in existing homes, but within a decade I want every new home to be zero carbon."
Another key measure in addition to tighter building regulations is the publication of a new code for sustainable homes, which "aims to increase the environmental sustainability of new homes and give homeowners better information about the sustainability of their home".
Under the code new homes will be given a star rating between one and six, where six is the most sustainable, with ratings becoming mandatory from April 2008.
"Planning should give local communities real opportunities to take action on climate change, and should be doing so now," Ms Cooper concluded.
The government also announced today it would launch a joint consultation looking into setting minimum standards for water efficiency in new homes.