The way buildings are heated, lit and used account for 40 per cent of our national energy use and carbon emissions. To meet our net zero target, it is important that improvements are made to energy use and efficiency in buildings to help address climate change and spur the development of cleaner and greener technological innovation.

The Government has set out plans to introduce the Future Homes Standard from 2025 which will ensure that new homes produce at least 75 per cent less carbon dioxide emissions. This will be achieved through low carbon heating and very high fabric standards. A consultation was held on these measures and the Government's response makes clear that fossil fuel heating should not be used in new homes built to the Future Homes Standard. The Government is expected to consult on a full technical specification for the Future Homes Standard later this year, giving interested parties the chance to share their views. 

I know that many people want to see these changes implemented quickly. As a first step, an interim uplift to energy efficiency requirements came into force in June 2022 which is seeing new homes expected to produce around 30 per cent fewer carbon emissions. 

Where appropriate, solar panels can put unused roof space to good use and are an important technology in helping to reduce carbon emissions. Some roofs are not suitable for solar panels due to structural strength or the direction of the building. However, you may be interested to know that the Government anticipates that most developers will comply with current performance standards by installing solar panels on new homes or using other low-carbon technology such as heat pumps.

In addition, a pathway to highly efficient non-domestic buildings has been set out in the Future Buildings Standard, which is set to be introduced in 2025. No further energy efficiency retrofit work will be necessary to enable these buildings to become zero-carbon. Again, an interim uplift has come into force which is supporting a 27 per cent reduction in carbon emissions in new non-domestic buildings. 

The interim uplift to building standards will help secure timely gains in energy efficiency and carbon emission standards. I do believe that the full implementation of the new standard will set the groundwork for going even greener in years to come.