code for sustainable homes

Press Release
07 May 2007

Code For Sustainable Homes

The Construction Centre expresses concern over UK sustainability targets

The Construction Centre today joined many building industry commentators in suggesting that the Governments targets for zero carbon new homes by 2016 could be unrealistic. It is thought that the targets themselves are attainable but concern remains as to how aware product manufacturers and contractors are about how these targets can be achieved on a practical level.

The Code for Sustainable homes released in December 2006, sets out guidelines for house builders regarding energy use, water, waste, pollution and ecology but opinion is divided as to how informed workers on site are about the methods and products needed in order to reach carbon zero. Change is difficult within any industry but reforming building practices established over many years is likely to be particularly hard.

Many product manufacturers are also now promoting sustainable or green products in order to cash in on the focus for greener homes, however house builders need to ensure that the products they are buying, conform to the guidelines. Using products which do not conform may mean that house builders do not reach the levels required in The Code for Sustainable Homes.

Having not seen any large scale outworking of the guidelines as yet it will be difficult to assess their effectiveness and what the overall reduction in carbon emissions will be as a result. Despite this the building industry has welcomed the steps towards greener building practices and it is hoped that at every level the guidelines will be seen as a positive move forward.

Currently The Code for Sustainable homes does not include commercial buildings and with the ongoing increase in large scale building projects throughout the UK, it is thought that the Government will need to look at implementing a similar code for this side of the construction industry.

It is likely to take a considerable amount of time to create this kind of working document but essential if the targets, which the Government has set, are to remain achievable.

Richard Simmons, Managing Director of The Construction Centre agreed saying “The Construction Centre has seen an increase in searches for sustainable and green building product suppliers as has our sister website The Renewable Energy Centre, which provides information and suppliers of renewable energy. This indicates that there is an undoubted thirst for knowledge in this area from both the building industry and public at large.”

It is certain that the Government will need to look at the sustainability of new buildings in the commercial sector in addition to house building, in order to achieve its targets. However with most emissions emanating from existing buildings, reforms here will also need to be addressed with some urgency to significantly reduce the ongoing problem.

For more information
Code for Sustainable Homes

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Notes for Editors:

www.theconstructioncentre.co.uk

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Targeted at consumers and the building industry, The Construction Centre has the largest online directory containing over 10,000 UK product manufacturers and suppliers with over 97,000 product search terms. Additionally there are over 50,000 contact details for merchants, industry professionals, tradesmen and contractors. Local Authority planning websites, trade publications and jobs can also be directly accessed from The Construction Centre.

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Contact:

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