Welsh government outlines zero carbon building targets

The Welsh Assembly Government has signalled proposals to achieve zero carbon levels for all new buildings in Wales by 2011, a move which would also entail it taking over responsibility for building regulations.

Under these plans they would become a devolved matter.

The UK government has already committed to achieving zero carbon standards for all new homes by 2016. The Welsh Assembly Government has stressed it wants to move more quickly.

As a first step the Welsh administration has stated that it will be insisting that as a core condition all Assembly Government funding, grants, investments, joint ventures and land disposals which involve new buildings will have to achieve the current top category of environmental performance under the system developed by the Building Research Establishment - the BREEAM 'excellent' rating.

The BREEAM 'excellent' rating covers a wide range of environmental issues, including energy use, pollution, buildings materials and water consumption.

Environment minister Carwyn Jones said: "We will be opening discussions with the UK government on the devolution of the building regulations which would allow us to set out a standard framework, including zero carbon, for all buildings, whatever their source of funding, which is tailor made for Wales."

He added: "Once these regulations are devolved, it will allow us to move further and faster on achieving zero carbon on all new buildings in Wales."

Welsh Assembly Government website

BREEAM: BRE Environmental Assessment Method

Roger Milne

15 February 2007