Feasibility of CSH in Assisting the New Housing Sector in Delivering Zero Carbon Homes by 2016

Abstract

All UN activities to propel sustainability to the forefront of international objectives, through the various summits, protocols, and mechanisms, have provided the motivation for the UK's target setting for better sustainable development and zero carbon housing. The Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) has been developed as a single accepted standard for sustainability, with the aim of reducing the detrimental impacts of construction on the environment. CSH identifies these as water use, waste generation, and use of pollutants. The main aim of this study is to consider the feasibility of the government achieving its objective of all new build homes having a zero carbon rating by 2016, through the implementation of CSH. The key findings of this review identify barriers that prevent the UK housing sector from achieving zero carbon housing. These include cost, legislative, cultural, and technical impediments. The research review undertaken demonstrates that building costs have increased from the mandatory minimum standard set (i.e. through building regulations) relative to the achievement of the higher levels of CSH.