Work is currently underway on development of a Future Homes Standard, expected to be published soon, which aims to ensure that new homes are carbon-neutral in operation, when supplied by renewably generated electricity. But this is only one part of tackling carbon emissions associated with housing. The other element is embodied carbon, generated from building materials, transport, and construction processes.
The Future Homes Hub, an independent body established to support collaboration between housebuilders, government, and other partners, has now established a new Embodied Carbon and Resource Efficiency Board (ECREB) to provide strategic leadership and coordination in implementing the sector鈥檚 New Homes Sector Transition Plan.
The new board brings together homebuilders, suppliers, designers, local government and government departments to establish practical ways to reducing embodied emissions whilst maintaining a focus on delivering high-quality new homes at scale. An early priority will be on driving resource efficiencies that reduce waste and save cost.
A first meeting of the board was held on Monday 16 March, co-chaired by Fergus Harradence, deputy director responsible for construction in the Department for Business and Trade and Bukky Bird, group sustainability director at Barratt Redrow.
Bird said,聽鈥淭he new homes sector has made significant progress in driving down operational emissions and customers鈥� energy bills, with the Future Homes Standard set to go even further and deliver homes that are zero-carbon-ready.
鈥淭he next challenge is tackling the carbon associated with materials, construction and the whole life of homes, which will require a coordinated effort across government, industry and the supply chain.
鈥淭he Embodied Carbon and Resource Efficiency Board brings together the leadership and the expertise needed to achieve this transition, supporting the industry to play its part in building sustainable new homes and a net zero future.鈥�
Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk
