Zero Carbon Hub Task Group recommends carbon compliance levels for new homes

A Task Group assembled by the Zero Carbon Hub has delivered a report setting out its recommendations for carbon compliance levels for new homes from 2016.

Cabon Compliance - on-site reductions in emissions - form part of the government's overall plan for achieving zero carbon homes.

The Task Group has submitted recommendations to government about how to make the next steps in achieving zero carbon as effective as possible whilst being compatible with delivery of the full range of housing required.

Separate compliance limits are recommended for detached houses, other houses and low rise apartments.

The recommendations are that the 'built performance' emissions from new homes should not exceed 10 kg CO2(eq) /m2/year for detached houses, 11 kg CO2(eq) /m2/year for other houses and 14 kg CO2(eq) /m2/year for low rise apartment blocks.

A key element of the Group’s recommendations is to ensure that the potential gap between 'as designed' and 'as built' standards is closed.

The recommendations are based on detailed modelling of technical feasibilities and take account of cost and also reflect a wide range of other factors.

The Task Group also recommends an option for carbon compliance to be assessed across the whole of a development site, instead of the individual dwellings on the site.

In its report the Task Group notes areas for further work to be addressed, including carbon compliance for high rise apartments, sensitivity to the price of allowable solutions, whether regional weather should be reflected in carbon compliance, and the implications for localism.

The Task Group drew its members from 25 groups in the house building and building supply industries, the professions, consumer and environmental groups, and a range of others.

John Slaughter, Director, External Affairs, Home Builders Federation said: "The Hub has undertaken a difficult and complex task very thoroughly - involving all the key parties in assembling the evidence base for its recommendations on performance standards."

Further information:
Zero Carbon Hub