Issues

CO2 emissions from domestic housing account for around 27% of the UK's total CO2 emissions. In its policy statement Building a Greener Future (July 07), CLG estimate that by 2050, as much as a third of the UK's housing stock could have been built between now and then. Energy is also used in the construction of housing and is embedded in the construction materials.

A voluntary Code for Sustainable Homes was introduced in April 2007. It includes categories for energy and carbon dioxide emissions and the environmental impact of building materials. From May 2008 all new homes must be assessed against the Code, although they will not be required to achieve a specified rating. Most new build affordable housing funded by the Housing Corporation is now required to reach Code Level 3.

In addition, from April 2008 Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) must be provided whenever new homes are constructed.

The government has confirmed that by 2016 all new homes will be zero carbon, with a major progressive tightening of the energy efficiency building regulations - by 25 per cent in 2010 and by 44 per cent in 2013 - up to the zero carbon target in 2016. From October 2008 Energy Performance Certificates must be provided for all new buildings.

English Partnerships is managing Carbon Challenge on behalf of CLG. It aims to fast-track the creation of a number of new communities designed to meet the highest level of the Code for Sustainable Homes, which requires net zero carbon emissions. It will act as a testing ground for the Code for Sustainable Homes and the new Planning Policy Statement on climate change.

Opportunities

Through their strategic housing, planning, regeneration and transport roles, local authorities can encourage developers to build houses:

• With high, preferably carbon neutral, energy standards

• With low carbon / renewable energy sources or community energy schemes

• Using materials with low embodied energy

• In locations and with infrastructure that will encourage walking, cycling and public transport use

Sources of advice

• From CLG:
  • Code for Sustainable Homes
  • Zero carbon homes
• The Energy Saving Trust website includes:
  • Code for Sustainable Homes - briefing note
  • Best Practice in New Housing - a practical guide
  • A section on new housing for building professionals
  • Best practice house - new build
  • Advice on installing renewable energy and community energy schemes
  • Energy Efficiency and the Code for Sustainable Homes - level 3
• Info4local's Code for Sustainable Homes web page has links to a wide range of documents
• A report by the South West Regional Assembly - Assessing the impact of higher Code levels on affordable housing delivery in the South West of England.
• The NHBC Foundation has published several documents on achieving low and zero carbon homes
• The Building Research Establishment's Green Guide to Specification compares the levels of embedded energy in common building materials
• The National Centre for Excellence in Housing's web pages on sustainability in housing
• Advice from CLG on Energy Performance Certificates
• See also advice on energy services and strategic planning elsewhere on this site

Examples

• Code for Sustainable Homes Case Studies from CLG describes houses built to the Code standard

• The Carbon Challenge - the winning bids

• The Green House - winner of the Homes for the Future competition

• Cornwall Rural Housing Association commissioned two designs for affordable rural carbon neutral development

• The Sustainable Homes website has a number of new build case studies from housing associations. These cover energy and other aspects of sustainability.