A new report undertaken by a number of businesses, NGOs and MPs suggests that progress has been made by Government in shaping the regulatory and fiscal framework for sustainable buildings in the UK. 

However, the industry's prospects of delivering on carbon reduction targets whilst remaining competitive is still somewhat hampered by a lack of clarity, consistency and effective enforcement, the report warns. The report highlights the positive strides taken by government towards a sustainable built environment, but cautions that high-level policies and legislation must be followed up with rapid progress on developing detailed implementation plans and regulatory levers. 

It also urges Government to think beyond arbitrary regulatory quotas in the spirit of bringing forward innovative, cost-effective mechanisms through positive engagement with the property industry.  An example of the dichotomy between high-level policy innovation and a lack of regulatory detail is the prospect of minimum energy performance standards for the letting market enshrined in the Energy Act 2011. 

The report welcomes the provision but cautions that there is an urgent need for clarity on the timeline for implementation and on the specific market circumstances which would trigger a legal obligation on property owners to improve performance. 

Jon Lovell, Director of Sustainability at Drivers Jonas Deloitte, who authored the report, said:

“With the rising cost of energy having such a clear impact on the bottom line of business, and on the health and well being of a growing proportion of society, the government must  re-double its efforts in pushing forward with a joined-up programme of effective and proportionate regulation, particularly on the efficiency agenda.  

"There is significant scope for regulatory simplification but at the same time improving the effectiveness of the overall landscape. It is therefore encouraging to see the launch of the Energy Efficiency Deployment Office in DECC this week, and we hope that this quickly develops real traction across all Government departments.”  

The report, Building Britain: The path to sustainable growth for the built environment, will be launched to an audience of business leaders this evening, with a keynote speech by Paul Morrell, the Government’s Chief Construction Advisor.