Kelly unveils zero carbon homes strategy

Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly has unveiled a radical strategy and timetable to make all new homes environmentally friendly and "zero carbon’ within 10 years. Publication of the strategy follows Gordon Brown's announcement in the PBR and new proposals for stamp duty exemption.
 
In her first major speech on climate change, she unveiled a package of measures to slash carbon emissions and make new homes more energy efficient. Currently the energy used to heat, light and run our homes account for 27 per cent of all the UK’s emissions at around 40 million tonnes – the 3rd biggest cause of carbon emissions after business and transport.
 
Ruth Kelly said she wants the country to be the first in the world to deliver zero carbon homes. A new timetable and strategy to make all new homes zero carbon by 2016 will include interim targets of cutting carbon emissions and energy. New measures are:

• Major shift in the planning system to put climate change properly at its heart
• Introducing a star rating system, the 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
• Major progressive tightening of building regulations up to 2016 to ensure new homes are more energy efficient
• Consulting on new minimum standards to make new buildings more water-efficient

Date article online: 13/12/2006