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Zero carbon homes consultation launched

By Gordon Miller

The Government last year set out its plans to make all new homes zero carbon by 2016. Today it has launched a consultation process to enable the detailed requirements to be set that meet green objectives whilst recognising the difficult economic conditions currently facing the housing industry.

The consultation runs until 18 March 2009. It is intended to give an opportunity for all groups to have their say on the proposed structure and further details, including the minimum level of carbon emissions that are reduced by onsite means and the list of allowable solutions.

Presently, more than 25 per cent of the UK's carbon emissions are produced by our housing. The Government is legally committed to reducing total carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2050 against 1990 levels, and requires both existing and new homes to become more carbon efficient to have a hope of meeting its target.

Housing Minister Margaret Beckett said: "Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing the world, and introducing zero carbon homes is an important part of our plans to tackle this, as well as further action to tackle emissions from the existing housing stock.

"I am absolutely committed to our 2016 target, and this demanding goal is already spurring action here and abroad.

"With the consultation process we are launching today, we are confident we will be able to achieve our ambitions while giving the industry flexibility for how they get there."

Welcoming publication of the consultation, UK Green Building Council Chief Executive Paul King said: "The science on climate change tells us action is even more urgent than it was two years ago when the zero carbon target was first set. So Government should be congratulated for sticking by the commitment that all new homes will be zero carbon from 2016.

"UK-GBC has some strong views about what should and shouldn't be allowed to contribute to the definition of a zero carbon home. But as our task group report showed earlier in the year, these are very complex issues and there will be a lively debate over the coming months.

"The important thing is that, by the end of the process, we have an approach which is clear, provides certainty to all parties and retains the original environmental ambition underpinning it."

The proposed definition of a zero carbon home includes a very high level of energy efficiency, a minimum level of carbon reductions that would need to be achieved, compared to today's Building Regulations, through a combination of energy efficiency measures, onsite energy supply and/or connections to low carbon heat. This is referred to as the 'carbon compliance' level.

The Government is consulting on reductions between 44 and 100 per cent of emissions from the home (not including cooking and appliances, which are not at present covered by Building Regulations).

Zero carbon status is measured against the annual emissions from heating, ventilation, hot water, fixed lighting, and the expected use of appliances.

Following the consultation process, the Government will set minimum level of carbon reduction that developers must achieve on the site of the housing development, such as through improved insulation, or providing onsite renewable energy.

Many welcome the consultation. Pete Halsall, Manging director of BioRegional Quintain, joint developer of One Brighton, said: “We are pleased - given pressure that is inevitably being brought to bear - that the Government is keeping its determination for homes to be zero carbon by 2016.

“We are equally sure that the industry, although it may not fully realise it, has the capacity to innovate at sufficient speed and in the right way - maintaining market appeal and competitiveness - to deliver this target, without which progress would be uncertain.”

The Zero Carbon consultation document is available at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/theenvironment/zerocarbonhomes/

Visit http://www.whatgreenhome.com/united_kingdom.html to see profiles of more than 40 develpments in the UK where low carbon homes have been built or are in construction.

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