The UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC) has released its report 'The Definition of Zero Carbon', produced by its zero carbon task group.

The report releases new modelling that shows the current definition is not achievable on up to 80% of new homes. Therefore, if Government wants to maintain its housing delivery targets of 3 million new homes by 2020, without watering down the level of carbon savings, the definition of zero carbon must change.

Launched in December 2007, the group brought together a range of expert stakeholders, following concern that the current definition of zero carbon - which excludes the use of off-site renewables.


Paul King, Chief Executive of the UK-GBC said: "Government's level of ambition is spot on and should be supported 100%. This is not about dumbing down or abandoning the concept of zero carbon.

"This is about ensuring the same high level of carbon savings, but allowing developers more flexibility in how to get there to deliver mainstream, zero carbon homes in the numbers required.

"The solutions we are pointing to are designed to ensure energy demand reduction always comes first and on- or near-site renewables should be the focus for meeting energy needs.

"Our proposed definition recognises off-site renewables could play a part, and also gives a big boost to community-scale technologies. This would have the added benefit of enabling much-needed carbon reductions in the existing stock, by enabling the distribution of low or zero carbon heat through district networks.

"There is plenty more work to do, and we look forward to Government’s response. But we’ve taken the first step along the road of delivering new homes in high volumes, that are zero-carbon, affordable and great quality places to live."

(CD/JM)