Housing minister Grant Shapps has finally announced a “tough but realistic” definition of the zero carbon homes standard, which will affect all new homes from 2016.

Mr Shapps said the standard will ensure new homes do not add to the country’s existing carbon footprint. He referred to the Government’s recent u-turn on the policy in which lifetime emissions of a home were omitted from the definition, saying that house builders “should not be responsible for the amount of television the families who buy their homes watch or the number of cups of tea they make each day”.

The Government will consult on the Zero Carbon Hub’s recommendations for on-site carbon reduction levels, which may see properties fitted with renewable energy technologies. But Mr Shapps added that a fabric first approach would be taken, ensuring fabric energy efficiency measures will be included in future Building Regulations amendments.

Mr Shapps said: “We have delivered on our commitment to nail down a definition for zero carbon homes. This is an historic turning point in our drive to slash carbon emissions and tackle climate change. It paves the way for the green transformation of Britain's homes - making them warmer and more comfortable to live in, and at the same time cheaper to run.”

Keith Riddle, managing director at VELUX, said: “While the publication of the new zero carbon home definition remains consistent with the Government’s proposals in The Plan for Growth in March, crucially the confirmation of these details now provides house builders with a practical framework to build towards. The inclusion of off-site allowable solutions is an important measure and means that we are likely to see a move away from the creation of ‘airtight boxes’ as house builders are given more flexibility to build energy efficient homes that also promote occupant health and wellbeing.”

www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1905491