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Grant Shapps to 'nail' zero carbon definition 'within weeks'
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Housing Minister Grant Shapps has announced that the new government will 'nail' the definition of zero carbon 'within weeks'.
Mr Shapps, who this week visited TV presenter Kevin McCloud's sustainable housing development in Swindon, made the commitment in an attempt to clear up an issue that has been hanging around for years.
In 2008, the previous government launched the Building a Greener Future policy statement which announced that all new homes will be 'zero carbon' by 2016 and said that it would consult on a 'detailed definition' of what that actually meant.
No definition, however, has ever been officially published.
Nearly half of the UK’s carbon emissions come from the built environment and homes account for nearly 30% of those emissions.
Grant Shapps said: "When we were in opposition I said that I endorsed the concept of building all new homes to a zero carbon standard, and that remains my position.
"I know how important it is to industry to have a clear definition as soon as possible – so that house builders can buy land with confidence and start to design the homes of the future, and so that the supply chain can gear up production of the technologies that will be needed.
"I will be publishing a final zero carbon definition in a matter of weeks so that the industry can get on and deliver the improved eco-friendly homes we need."
