MPs to probe carbon emission cuts to buildings

A parliamentary inquiry has been launched to investigate what can be done to cut carbon emissions from existing commercial developments.

The All Party Urban Development Group is a cross-party of MPs and is calling for submissions from the government and public and private sectors on reforms needed to reduce the environmental impact of existing buildings.

Chaired by MP Clive Betts, the group will also look at barriers to reducing emissions and regulations, incentives, penalties and education campaigns needed to address barriers.

Within the property industry there are fears that improvements to the energy efficiency of existing buildings are not being made quickly enough.

Betts said: “The built environment accounts for 50% of the UK’s carbon emissions, and while debate has so far largely focused on the carbon footprint of people’s homes, less attention has been paid to the energy efficiency of commercial buildings – which accounts for half of this figure.”

The British Property Federation will provide secretariat services for the group in partnership with the Centre for Cities, which will carry out the group's research.