Zero carbon non-domestic and allowable solution task group
In December 2006, the Labour government committed that from 2016 all new homes would be ‘zero carbon’. The Labour budget in 2008 then announced the government's intention that all new non-domestic buildings should also be zero carbon from 2019. This commitment was confirmed by the Coalition government in December 2010.
However, since then, there has been little progress towards the target for non-domestic buildings, or on the detail of the definition of 'zero carbon' for non-domestic buildings. As a consequence, in June 2015, the UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC) launched a zero-carbon non-domestic and allowable solution task group.
In ‘Steps to 2019’, the UK-GBC suggest that their members were keen to influence the trajectory to 2019 and highlight two opportunities:
- The development by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) of the allowable solutions for zero-carbon homes.
- Possible changes to Part L of the building regulations as a ‘stepping stone’ towards the zero-carbon target.
The report proposed creating a task group ‘…to mobilise the membership … and to ensure that the Government makes the most of these upcoming opportunities, bringing forward policy that is as ambitious as possible, whilst remaining deliverable.”
The task group is jointly chaired by Julian Sutherland (Atkins) and David Mason (senior sustainability manager at Skanska).
Mason said, “The Allowable Solutions framework will be vital to delivering the zero carbon buildings policies and it presents a huge opportunity for the industry to innovate and find new ways of delivering carbon savings in the built environment.”
Julie Hirigoyen, chief executive of the UK-GBC, said, “Although the policy for non-domestic buildings remains under-developed, UK-GBC members are already pushing ahead. The overwhelming response we have had to this task group proves how many of our members are keen to start designing and delivering zero carbon new buildings, in view of the clear business benefits.”
The task group was expected to report in October/November 2015. However, on 10 July 2015, the government published ‘Fixing the foundations: creating a more prosperous nation’ a government plan for increasing Britain’s productivity. Amongst a great number of wide-ranging changes, the report states, 'The government does not intend to proceed with the zero carbon Allowable Solutions carbon offsetting scheme, or the proposed 2016 increase in on-site energy efficiency standards, but will keep energy efficiency standards under review, recognising that existing measures to increase energy efficiency of new buildings should be allowed time to become established.'
This announcement was made with no consultation and came as a surprise to much of the industry. Julie Hirigoyen said "It is short-sighted, unnecessary, retrograde and damaging to the house building industry, which has invested heavily in delivering energy-efficient homes".
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation which closes 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.