Major house builders agree to sector-wide net zero plan
The UK’s largest house builders, alongside suppliers, regulators and environmental groups, have agreed to a sector-wide delivery plan to meet the government’s climate change targets.
Agreed through the Future Homes Task Force, the plan includes a number of headline goals such as an agreement to build homes that are “zero-carbon ready and sustainable by 2025”.
By the same date, the group has also committed to delivering “places and developments that are consistently low-carbon, nature-rich, resilient-healthy, well-designed and beautiful”.
Meanwhile, the plan will see the delivery of “production and construction methods that are net zero and sustainable by 2050, with substantial progress by 2025 and 2030”.
A commitment has also been made to deliver business operations that are net zero by 2050, with a 50% reduction by 2030.
Alongside these headline commitments, the plan lays out a series of goals and milestones that need to be met along the way, incorporating a number of government policies such as the Future Homes Standard and Biodiversity Net Gain.
The Future Homes Task Force was established last year with the initial goal of helping the housebuilding sector meet the government’s Future Homes Standard, which is set to come into force in 2025. This will introduce a number of changes to the building regulations in order to reduce the carbon footprint of new homes.
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It has representatives from different organisations including the Home Builders Federation (HBF), Homes England, Taylor Wimpey and Peabody. Companies that have already committed to meeting the goals laid out in the delivery plan include Barratt Homes, Bellway, Vistry Group, Taylor Wimpey and Places for People.
Neil Jefferson, managing director at HBF and co-chair of the Future Homes Task Force said: “The government has set out a clear legal framework for tackling climate change and restoring the natural world. Meeting these targets means a wholesale change in how we design and build homes for future generations. This is a challenge we are committed to tackling head on.
“Today’s launch sees the sector taking leadership of the agenda. The broad range of stakeholders involved will hold each other to account and ensure we deliver on this vital agenda as quickly and effectively as is possible. We want to ensure that we build on the huge progress made so far and deliver world-leading, environmentally friendly, high-quality housing.”
Housing secretary Robert Jenrick said: “As we drive forward our plan for the UK to meet its 2050 net zero target, we are determined to improve the energy efficiency of our homes and reduce carbon emissions in a way that is fair and affordable to everyone.
“I welcome the work of the Future Homes Task Force, which has brought together leaders across the fields that contribute to and influence homebuilding and has created this roadmap for meeting these challenges.”
Stephen Kinsella, chief land and development officer at Homes England, said: “The Future Homes Delivery Plan sets out a vision with ambitious near-term commitments and provides, alongside government policy, a clear set of expectations for the housing sector to deliver better outcomes for people, places and the planet.
“Homes England looks forward to working with the delivery hub to share expertise and learning.”
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