Government unveils zero carbon plans

The government has pledged that all new homes from 2016 will have to be zero carbon and it has launched a consultation process to help achieve this aim.

According to Building.co.uk, the target will be made more achievable by taking into account carbon offsetting and retrofitted energy-efficiency improvements, as well as putting a cap on what developers are required to spend.

The consultation will also seek views on the government’s ambition that new non-domestic buildings should be zero carbon from 2019.

"Zero carbon housing is an extremely demanding goal and it is essential that all house builders are involved in the discussions," said housing minister Margaret Beckett.

However, Paul King, chief executive of the UK Green Building Council, claims that simply offsetting emissions through energy-efficiency improvements in nearby existing homes is "not a solution".

Earlier this year, Green Moves UK said today that eco self builders are more likely to meet government targets for zero carbon homes than traditional developers.