The housing industry believes it is unlikely to meet the requirements set out in the government’s 2025 Future Homes and Buildings Standards according to research carried out by members of The Housing Forum’s Futures Network.
The Housing Forum consists of more than 150 organisations, from both the public and private sectors, representing the entire housing supply chain. Members represent £24bn turnover in the housing sector.
The research was carried out among senior industry figures attending a number of The Housing Forum’s 2022 events including a series of Decarbonisation Seminars. A total of 91% of the respondents were directly involved in ensuring their organisations meet decarbonisation targets.
One out of five say that their own organisation does not have a plan in place that will enable them to deliver homes that will meet 2025 emissions targets.
Three out of four of those questioned think the industry does not have adequate skills and knowledge to meet 2025 targets within the next 10 years.
The research was commissioned in the wake of the changes to Building Regulations which came into force in June 2022 as part of the pathway to meeting Future Homes and Building Standards in 2025 and Carbon Net Zero in 2050.
The Government’s stated aim is a greener built environment and the Future Homes and Buildings Standard in 2025 will mean all future homes are net zero ready.
Prior to the 2022 changes coming into force The Federation of Master Builders had stated that less than half of their members were ready for the new regulations.
Daniel Love, from Polypipe Building Products – a member of The Housing Forum’s Futures Network – who carried out the research said: “We were alarmed to see that so many senior figures do not think that the industry will meet the net zero challenge within the Government’s time frame.
“The results of the survey also show a fundamental lack of understanding of the technologies that developers can adopt to meet their targets. There also seems to be a lack of urgency to increase that understanding and to begin preparations in earnest.
“Developers need to engage with their supply chain to understand the new technologies and construction methods before the 2025 deadline in order for demand for new products and skills to be ready in time.
“The answer has to be an emphasis on engagement, upskilling and education.”