In order to grab hold of the increasingly worrying situation of uncontrollable greenhouse gas emissions, only radical change can stop the problem. Legislation needs to change in order to incentivise the improvement of building performance.

However one approach is not enough, several approaches are required in order to cater to the diverse range of buildings and their problems in the UK. Examples include calculating Council Tax based on energy performance as well as property value, creating new grants for energy efficient systems and materials, as well as raising awareness of the importance of reducing energy loss. Other legislation can also be placed at a local level, such as encouraging those applying for planning permission, by only granting permission if an energy saving feature is added to the plan to increase overall building performance.

These, as well as other legislation, need to be adopted simultaneously in order to avoid any gaps through the system, much like what we have recently seen on the news regarding tax!