Green Building Council seeks carbon cutting consensus

The UK Green Building Council (UK GBC) wants builders to come to a consensus on how the industry can cut carbon emissions from existing homes.

Under instruction from the government, the council has announced it will consult with industry stakeholders to produce recommended measures to reduce carbon emissions

The proposals are expected to be considered by the government as part of its Low Carbon Homes Strategy.

The council will hold a two-week online consultation starting 18 August and hold a workshop on 12 September.

A report is due by the end of September and will focus on the period up to 2022 and include a “roadmap” to 2050 showing what else needs to be done.

The council will focus on the issues of technology and innovation, markets and service offerings, behaviour change and awareness and policy.

UK GBC chief executive Paul King said: “The UK GBC has been asked to lead a process of stakeholder engagement and consultation over the next few months, to help inform the development of government policy.

“Industry needs clarity about the short, medium and long-term direction of travel so it can invest and skill-up appropriately.

“We also need to develop new and innovative methods of financing retrofitting and delivering the major improvements to our varied housing stock that are so acutely needed.

“Above all, government, industry and other interest groups need a clear and ambitious strategy that everyone has confidence will deliver.”

The online consultation will be at www.ukgbc.org.