Scrapping Zero-Carbon Homes leaves “policy vacuum”
Responding to the government’s ‘Cutting red tape review of house building’ report, the STA claims lower building standards in the absence of the policy have led to more carbon emissions being locked in, resulting in higher energy bills “for decades to come,” while the trade body are also calling for clearer and more ambitious regulations for sustainability standards in new builds.
The response emphasises the need for the government and local authorities to incorporate renewables into new build standards, with the STA also stating that higher standards provide a level playing field for low-carbon options to compete, adding that such standards would not discourage developers from building more homes.
The STA claims that solar is an “ideal” technology to be incorporated into new builds in the absence of the Zero-Carbon Homes policy, citing its “dramatic” fall in cost in recent years, while also highlighting the need for the government and local authorities to encourage planners to incorporate minimum levels of on-site renewable energy in new housing developments.
Mike Landy, head of policy at the STA, argues that the cancellation of the Zero-Carbon Homes policy in July 2015 was “one of the most incomprehensible acts” of the Conservative government.
“We were nine years into a ten year plan that hundreds of companies were working towards. It has left a policy vacuum and the government has yet to explain the rationale for its decision,” he said.
“Solar energy is perfectly suited to new build and ought to become a standard feature on new housing. The 70% cost reductions since 2010 means that any additional build costs can be recouped within years through lower energy bills; builders need to work with surveyors, estate agents and mortgage lenders to ensure these benefits are recognised.
“Local authorities have a responsibility to help achieve the 80% carbon emission reduction required by the Climate Change Act. We encourage them to use their planning powers to require house builders to use solar energy as a highly effective and cost-effective way of contributing to that goal.”
The STA’s response highlights that the scrapping of Zero Carbon Homes policy came just one week after the Energy and Climate Change Committee recommended in its 2015 progress report to Parliament that the government should “implement the zero carbon homes standard without further weakening.”
