A new report from two major universities has brought to light the serious impact of cutting the zero-carbon homes plan…
The University of Westminster and the University of Hertfordshire have published a report looking into the implications of the government cutting the zero carbon homes plan.
The report, ‘The future of policy and standards for low and zero carbon homes’, stressed scrapping plans to make all new homes carbon-neutral would impact the government’s ability to meet EU targets to deliver low and zero carbon homes.
The report stated: “Based on this research, there is wide support across the sector for the strong emphasis of Government upon national Building Regulations as the primary policy driver for achieving LZC [low and zero carbon] homes, especially given that consumer drivers for higher energy standards are weak.
“However, opinion is far more divided about what many view as the recent ‘watering down’ of energy-related regulations for new homes.
“Many view the Coalition policy, which led up to the later abandonment of the 2016 zero carbon target, as having overlooked the key role for stronger regulations as drivers of innovation.”
The zero carbon homes standard was scrapped last summer amidst significant criticism from the construction sector and green campaigners.
The report’s lead researcher Dr Dan Greenwood from the University of Westminster said: “The task of establishing effective policies and standards for new homes is one that the Government and industry have both been wrestling with for ten years as part of the broader challenge of the UK and EU CO2 emissions reduction targets.
“As our report shows, whilst there has clearly been a need for streamlining policy and standards, this is not the same as the deregulation agenda we have seen from the Government. A smart approach to defining policies needs to include promoting skills development, learning and innovation across the housebuilding sector.”
The report called for the government to address the uncertainty surrounding the future of policy and standards, as well as the challenge of developing skills to translate policies into practice. It also recommended greater engagement with the public on sustainability issues.
Earlier this year, the Solar Trade Association called upon the government to replace the zero carbon homes policy, with the National Policy for the Built Environment Committee showing support less than a month later.