Written question asked by Lord Moynihan (Conservative) on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 5 August 2026. It was answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Labour) on Wednesday, 5 August 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Buildings: Carbon Emissions

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are considering introducing statutory zero-carbon building standards.

Answer

In March 2026, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published an update to the energy efficiency standards in the Building Regulations: the Future Homes Standard (FHS).

Under this new standard, which will come into force from March 2027, all new homes will need to have excellent insulation, low carbon heating systems, and in most cases, solar panels to boost our energy security with clean, homegrown power. New homes built to these standards will be zero carbon ready, meaning they will become zero carbon once the national grid is fully decarbonised and will require no further retrofitting to meet net zero.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL2569
Session: 2026-27
Subjects: Construction Buildings Housing Carbon emissions
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Buildings: Carbon Emissions

Secondary information

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