Comment

Government plans to ramp up zero carbon transition

Conservative Ministers announced, on the eve of the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, a new package of measures which aim to accelerate the UK's transition to a net zero carbon economy.

These measures include strengthened standards for new build homes, new investment for the automotive industry, plans for a Great Northumberland Forest, and fresh support for advanced nuclear R&D. Central to these measures is a commitment to strengthen the Future Homes Standard introduced by the Chancellor’s Spring Statement earlier this year and scheduled for adoption in 2025.

The Government has previously confirmed this standard would mean no new build homes will use gas for heating or cooking, and this latest announcement advises this change will be supported by stronger energy efficiency standards and an interim target for new homes to reduce their emissions by up to a third from 2020.

Transitional arrangements are also proposed to prevent developers from applying for early planning permission in an attempt to avoid these new standards. As such, all new homes from next year will be required to install either solar panels, wastewater heat recovery systems, low carbon heat technologies or a combination thereof. Wastewater heat recovery systems typically extract heat from shower / bath water sent down the drain and use this to pre-heat incoming cold water, thereby saving energy. Low carbon heat technologies meanwhile include air, ground and water-source heat pumps.



This new emissions standard appears similar to the minimum 35% on-site CO2 reduction target below 2013 Building Regulations Part L that has been in force across Greater London for new homes since 2014, but nevertheless represents a step change for much of England where requirements to perform beyond Part L standards are currently weaker or absent.

The Business Secretary, Andrea Leadsom, explained:

"Addressing climate change is a top priority for the Conservative Party, and today's announcement will not only help us reach our Net Zero 2050 target but will benefit communities and households, and improve wildlife and wellbeing, while doing so.



If you would like further information on the impact of these announcements, please contact James Blake.



30 September 2019