Government urged to consult housing sector on green targets

June 16th 2010

The government must work closely with the housing sector in its drive to create greener properties, an expert has claimed.

All new homes will be required to meet zero-carbon standards by 2016 as part of new regulations.

However, while the industry is keen to implement such measures, there is growing concern that the targets set out by the government may not viable.

According to a study carried out by the British Property Federation, law firm Taylor Wessing and communications consultancy Spada, 76 per cent of respondents believe the targets set out by the leadership are "unrealistic".

Furthermore, 73 per cent felt it would be unlikely that all new commercial properties would attain zero-carbon status by 2019.

Liz Peace, chief executive of the British Property Federation, said it is "essential" for the government to work closely with the housing sector if green issues are to be effectively addressed.

"Government will need to work with all sectors to understand fragmented views and identify why certain sectors feel the targets are more achievable than others," she said.

The findings also revealed that sustainability remains "very" or " highly" important to 68 per cent of businesses in the housing industry.