Government secures green housing commitment

The government has announced that it has secured agreements from both housebuilders and councils regarding the provision of environmentally-friendly housing over the next decade.

The Communities and Local Governments 2016 Commitment will see the industry and government work together in attempting to build 240,000 zero-carbon homes a year by 2016, with a progressive series of improvements planned up until that date.

Organisations including Shelter, the Home Builders' Federation (HBF), the UK Green Building Council and the World Wildlife Fund have all said that they support the initiative.

"We were the first country in the world to announce a zero-carbon target for new homes," commented housing minister Yvette Cooper.

"We have to build more sustainable homes and more affordable homes at the same time. This can not be achieved without the commitment and support of local councils, homebuilders, the construction supply industry, other housing groups and local communities across the country," Ms Cooper added.

The homes will be built as part of a wider government scheme to build three million new properties by 2020.


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