Assembly government aims for 55% emission cut
The Welsh Assembly Government aims to use new building regulation powers to reduce carbon emissions from new homes by 55 per cent from 2006 levels by 2013.
Earlier this year the assembly government announced it would get building regulation powers from Westminster to create a sustainable economy in the country.
These powers will be transferred on the last day of 2011 and the Welsh government has concluded the 55 per cent target achieves the ‘right balance’ on climate change and producing affordable homes.
Environment minister Jane Davidson said: ‘We have a great opportunity to improve the way new buildings are built and with it huge responsibility to provide the right support to our economic recovery.
‘My approach, which is aligned with the cross governmental approach to economic renewal that was launched this week, is ambitious but pragmatic.
‘My department has been working to identify the policy “sweet spot” - the standard that gives us the most progressive response to climate change we can manage but allows for a healthy construction and property sector.’
The assembly wants to see new homes from 2013 built using a combination of green technologies including heat pumps, photovoltaics, solar hot water and higher building standards that will help achieve lower carbon emissions and fuel bills.
It aims for new flats and houses to have combined heating, lighting and hot water bills as low as £7.50 a week.
The Welsh Assembly Government expects to consult on detailed proposals during 2012 for implementation in 2013.
Peter Davies, commissioner for Wales for the Sustainable Development Commission, said: ‘Increasing microgeneration such as solar panels is an important part of this process but the SDC wants to see priority given to improving the fabric of buildings - such as insulation - to make homes as comfortable as possible.’
Helen Northmore, head of Energy Saving Trust Wales, said: ‘These new standards will put us ahead of England and will significantly reduce heating costs for householders living in new homes built after 2012, as well as helping to meet our greenhouse gas reduction targets.’
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Readers' comments (6)
Evan Owen | 15/07/2010 7:45 am
Er.. will this increase the cost of all buildings substantially?
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Rebecca Roberts | 26/07/2010 8:16 pm
Yes it is estimated that per unit, housing costs will increase by £30,000, however it is still very unclear as to who will carry these costs, housebuilders are struggling to make a decent turnover and with affordability being a major issue for many today struggling to get on the housing market, it is surely going to impact the housing industry..perhaps not for the better of the economy, however, the very fact that government are still pushing for the zero carbon home of the future indicates the severity of climate change, check out www.hanhamhall.co.uk to have an idea of what these zero carbon homes involve, hope this helps!
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| 26/07/2010 9:47 pm
"the very fact that government are still pushing for the zero carbon home of the future indicates the severity of climate change,"
Err....so everything government believes, informed as they are by motley groups of academics who make their living courtesy of government grants, must be true because the government believes it? Well, if you believe that....
Note also this is the "welsh" government, not the real thing. Basically it's just a bunch of local councillors isn't it? Some of them will believe anything. Muppets.
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Sidney Webb | 26/07/2010 10:23 pm
My grandfather was Welsh!
Cheek of it.
I'm doing my bit by exhaling only every other breath. Been at it a week already but my chest measurement is now 60 inches!
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Chris | 26/07/2010 10:29 pm
Careful ILAG, it won't be long before you quote some dodgy research as gospel. You'll be telling me that Mr Mandelson wasn't santaclause next!
The low cost power solutions have existed for years, but we have had to wait for someone to come up with a way to make them profitable. Now we can pay £20-30K to save on our fuel bills at a rate that will pay back that sum in 20-30 years; classic.
If the real concern was the environment then the power reducing technology would be installed at minimal cost to ensure maximum and quick effect. Yes, I believe global warming exists, but I do not see it being taken as a priority issue over market capitalism.
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| 27/07/2010 0:15 am
Hey, I've nothing against the Welsh. I do have an issue with local government though and the Welsh Assembly is just another form of local government set up by NuLab to create jobs for members of the Welsh Labour party and their mates. Thus, Muppets!
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