Reactive Quote: Future Homes and Buildings Standards

Reacting to the publication of the updated Future Homes and Buildings Standards, Executive Director Rachel Solomon Williams said: “The built environment is one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonise. Including indirect emissions, buildings still account for 23% of the UK’s total carbon emissions. These new measures, requiring homes and commercial buildings to include low-carbon heating and energy efficiency, will play an important role in driving the transition. We are particularly pleased to see commercial buildings included in the requirements. This creates fairness within sectors, ensuring that forward-thinking businesses aren’t penalised for taking an ambitious approach.”

She added, “This policy clarity should also stimulate investment into the supply chain for energy efficiency, solar and clean heating options, with direct benefits for UK jobs and industry. To ensure that these measures also make the most effective contribution to reduced bills for households and businesses, it will be vital to continue work on addressing the rising cost of electricity.”

–ENDS–

To see the government’s press release announcing the rollout of “Plug-in” solar panels in shops, alongside new rules coming into force to implement the Future Homes and Buildings Standards, click here.

The updated standards confirm that the majority of new homes and buildings in England will be developed with solar panels and low carbon heating systems, such as heat pumps. Click here to see a recent Aldersgate Group report on ‘Workforce planning for clean heat!, which highlights significant opportunities to expand the heat pump workforce. It identifies around 76,000 roles in England with relevant skillsets – such as plumbers, pipefitters, manufacturing engineers, and electricians – indicating strong potential to scale up capacity in this sector.