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<p>The Government remains committed to meeting its target of net zero emissions by
2050. We have met our first two Carbon Budgets and our latest emissions projections
show that we are on track to meet the third. However, we recognise the need for further
action to meet the fourth and fifth Carbon Budgets, and in 2020-21 we will bring forward
ambitious new plans throughout the year to reduce emissions across key sectors of
the economy, including an Energy White Paper, Transport Decarbonisation Plan, and
Heat and Building Strategy.</p><p>The Government recognises the important contribution
that the energy efficiency of buildings has to make in meeting our net zero target.
In October 2019, we launched the first stage of a two-part consultation on Part L
and Part F of the Building Regulations, which proposed an ambitious uplift in the
energy efficiency of new homes through the introduction of a Future Homes Standard
from 2025. We expect that homes built to the Future Homes Standard will have carbon
dioxide emissions 75-80 per cent lower than those built to current Building Regulations
standards, which means they will be fit for the future, with low carbon heating and
very high fabric standards. <br> <br>As a stepping stone to the Future Homes Standard,
we have also consulted on a meaningful and achievable interim increase to the energy
efficiency standards for new homes. The preferred option set out in consultation is
a standard that should result in a 31 per cent further reduction in emissions, compared
to current standards.</p><p>The introduction of the Future Homes Standard from 2025
represents a considerable improvement in energy efficiency standards for new homes.
Homes built under the Future Homes Standard will be ‘zero carbon ready’, with the
ability to become fully zero carbon homes over time as the electricity grid decarbonises,
without the need for further costly retrofitting work. As indicated in <em>Planning
for the Future</em>, a response to the Future Homes Standard consultation will be
published in the autumn, and we intend to review the roadmap to ensure that implementation
of the full Future Homes Standard takes place in the shortest possible timeline, as
well as exploring options for the pathway to zero carbon homes, beyond 2025.</p><p>We
will consult in the future on the technical detail, guidance and impact assessment
for the introduction of the Future Homes Standard, which will include the estimated
reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.</p>
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