'You can build a more energy efficient future'

Protecting our environment, conserving fuel resources and improving competitiveness are issues which affect us all - businesses and consumers alike.

At the moment, energy used in building accounts for around 40% of UK annual energy consumption and costs œ22 billion. I am firmly convinced that everyone involved in building and construction - designers, specifiers, owners and occupiers - can play a vital role in making sure that the built environment that we all live and work in is appealing, comfortable and, above all, energy-efficient and cost-effective to operate - a decided advantage in today's increasingly competitive markets.

As Minister with responsibility for Energy Efficiency I have a special interest in how these ideal conditions are achieved. Continuing research and development into new materials and methods has paid real dividends over recent years in reducing energy consumption. But we must ensure that continuous innovation provides technical solutions for the next generation of energy savings. The energy-related Environmental Issues research progamme (EnREI), managed jointly by my department and the Building Research Establishment, is currently carrying out research into more efficient control of air conditioning and lighting, and energy-saving through improved structural design. Findings will be made available in published guidance to industry as they emerge, as well as being incorporated into the Energy Efficiency Office 'Best Practice' programme.

But to achieve real reductions we need to take action in all areas. Domestic housing is also a major consumer of energy, accounting for one quarter of UK total annual energy consumption. Giving consumers a simple, easy to understand measure of the energy performance of their home will enable them to make informed decisions both on purchase and on taking effective measures to increase energy savings. From 1 July this year the revised Building Regulations for England and Wales will require all new housing to carry an energy rating using the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP), a simple indication of space and water heating efficiency on a scale 1-100. The Energy Efficiency Office will be working with developers already building to a high standard with housebuilders to promote the new procedure to the housebuying public.

We have to work together, government and industry, to ensure that the very real achievements of recent years in saving energy, decreasing costs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions are continued. Your commitment and vision is an essential part of the process.