UK lighting the way

The unveiling on 11 June of the Lighthouse, billed as the UK's most sustainable modern* home built to date, demonstrates that it is possible to meet the standards set by the UK's new Code for Sustainable Homes:

The prototype building meets level six of the government code, which looks at water, energy, waste and six other criteria covering a building's overall sustainability performance. The code was introduced in December as part of the government's plan to make all new homes carbon neutral by 2016, a target which some have described as impossible.

In achieving the highest code level, this prototype building would qualify for the UK's stamp duty exemption for being zero carbon. An article from BioRegional provides the UK government's definition of "zero carbon" and a link to the Code for Sustainable Homes. The UK government wants all new homes built after 2016 to be zero carbon.

*Once upon a time, all homes were zero carbon and built entirely with local materials. Some still are, but usually because the owners have no choice, like this Lesotho family. Funny how it's been the very rich or very poor who build sustainably. It will take initiatives like the UK's new code to bring sustainable living into the mainstream by forcing builders to adapt.