Isra-Mart srl : Govt 'U-turns' on zero carbon homes policy

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Isra-Mart srl news:

The government has been criticised for making a U-turn on the zero carbon homes policy.

In an accompanying document to the Budget, it states that the 2016 target to make all new homes zero carbon will no longer be set. Instead, the industry must make sure that carbon emission levels are no greater than those set out by the Building Regulations.

Building Regulations cover emissions from energy use through heating, hot water and building services but not from plug-in electrical appliances. The document stated that these are "beyond the influence of housebuilders and will be addressed by other policies, for example the EU Emissions Trading Scheme".

Paul King, chief executive of the UK Green Building Council, said zero carbon no longer does what it says on the tin.

"We now have a policy that is not only anti-green but anti-growth," he added. "Low carbon construction has been one of the few sectors showing genuine green shoots of growth.

"This U-turn will result in loss of confidence leading to lower investment, less innovation, fewer green jobs and fewer carbon reductions."