Carbon cut targets slashed for house builders

Testing times

The eco-pioneers

New research has found that a handful of ‘leaders’ are driving the housing sector’s approach to sustainability. Martin Hilditch finds out what sets them apart from the rest

Ministers urged to delay tougher efficiency goals

The government should scrap plans to increase the energy efficiency of new homes next year because of a lack of progress in meeting current goals, a think tank has claimed.

Plan of action

England needs a coherent planning framework if it is to develop homes and communities which pass the test of time

Review of the year

What a year. From the economic doom and gloom to the summer’s riots, social landlords have had their work cut out over the past 12 months. Here, Inside Housing looks back at the highs and lows

Construct a greener future

Building regulations are being tightened in a bid to protect the environment, says Catherine Parker, solicitor at Trowers & Hamlins

Mapping the full footprint

How easily could your organisation calculate its complete carbon footprint? If the answer is ‘not very’, then a new worldwide standard could be just what you need. Elisabeth Jeffries looks at how it works

Meeting requirements

Barny Evans and Julian Elsworth explain what ‘allowable solutions’ are and how social landlords should implement them when building zero carbon homes

Green guru

The delivery of sustainable homes is a global problem and providers in the UK can learn a lot from their counterparts around the world, says Neil Jefferson

Unlocking the green code

Green leases are becoming more common for social landlords with commercial property, says Ben Halsey, senior associate at Lewis Silkin