Industry hails ‘sensible’ zero carbon homes proposals

The Government has today published a consultation on allowable solutions, in a bid to ensure all new homes are zero carbon from 2016.

Described as “sensible” by the UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC), the consultation includes proposals through which developers can meet carbon reductions.

These included improving existing buildings through retrofitting as well as achieving 100 per cent of carbon abatement through connected measures such as heat networks.

In addition, builders can use a third party allowable solutions provider or pay into a fund which invests in projects which will deliver carbon abatement on their behalf.

Paul King, chief executive of UK-GBC, said: “The proposals for how builders can meet the zero carbon 2016 target seem sensible, and build on the recommendations made by a UK-GBC task group back in 2008, and extensive work since carried out by the industry through the zero carbon hub.

“As our report said in 2008, we believe the price of allowable solutions should be set to encourage community level solutions first. We also welcome the proposal that allowable solutions should also be available for non-domestic buildings – something we’ve consistently called for.”