RIBA responses to government consultations on climate action
The climate emergency is the biggest challenge facing our planet and the architecture profession. But to have a significant impact, we need to turn warm words into impactful actions. As the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), our consultation responses urge government adopt the 2030 Climate Challenge targets and create an ambitious plan to ensure all new and existing buildings do not have a negative impact on the environment.
Read more about the RIBA’s climate action work.
Climate action and sustainability
Energy Security and Net Zero Committee: Net zero and trade Inquiry
April 2024
This inquiry sought views on how the UK can best use its trade policy to support its net zero objectives, and whether existing trade policy is consistent with emission cutting targets.
Our response highlights the UK’s role as a world leader in sustainable design, the value of global knowledge sharing on climate issues, the importance of delivering a mutual recognition agreement with the European Union and ensuring that UK practices can continue to benefit from international talent and skills.
Read our full response to the Net zero and trade inquiry (PDF)
Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities: The Future Homes and Buildings Standards: 2023 consultation
March 2024
This consultation sets out technical proposals for changes to the Building Regulations, the associated Approved Document guidance and calculation methods.
Our response urged Government to use operational energy as the principal metric for measuring energy efficiency, raise fabric standards, strengthen requirements for material change of use dwellings, require Post Occupancy Evaluation for new homes, and bring forward the promised consultation on embodied carbon.
Read our full response to The Future Homes and Buildings Standards (PDF)
House of Commons Public Accounts Committee: Flood defences
November 2023
This inquiry assesses current risk management, What has been achieved in flood protection between 2015 and 2021, and the government's readiness for future flood risk reduction.
Our response recommends amending Building Regulations to mandate climate resilience enhancements during rebuilding or renovation, exploring the integration of flood resilience regulations with Flood Zone Designations, promoting nature-based solutions in the planning system, and consulting stakeholders for a national urban green space target.
Read our full response to the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee inquiry: Flood defences (PDF)
House of Commons Energy Security and Net Zero Committee:
Heating our homes
August 2023
The inquiry explored UK citizens' challenges in heating homes and managing energy bills, covering energy efficiency (including insulation), alternatives to gas boilers such as heat pumps, enforcing heat standards for new and renovated buildings, addressing infrastructure for warm homes and ensuring a skilled workforce for the future.
Our response advises government to implement a National Retrofit Strategy for enhancing housing energy efficiency, establish energy and carbon goals aligned with the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge, mandate Post Occupancy Evaluation for publicly funded projects and improve Energy Performance Certificates to accurately gauge real energy performance.
House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee: Heat resilience and sustainable cooling
August 2023
This inquiry looked at the relationship between heat and health, the adequacy of current government policies in relation to current and future need for cooling and what measures could be taken to increase adaptation and resilience to rising temperatures.
Our response proposes the implementation of a National Retrofit Strategy, focusing on enhancing energy efficiency and resilience in housing. It also suggests prioritising form and fabric efficiency in new home design, advocates for mandatory Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) for publicly funded building projects and input from stakeholders to establish a national urban green space expansion goal.
HM Revenue & Customs: VAT energy saving materials relief – improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions
May 2023
This consultation sought views on proposals to extend VAT energy saving materials (ESMs) relief to technologies including battery storage systems.
Our response included widening VAT ESMs relief to include battery storage systems, both when retrofitted to ESMs and as standalone battery storage. It highlighted its benefits in reducing carbon emissions, providing financial advantages to homeowners and landlords, and offering balance during surges on the electricity grid.
Labour Party National Policy Forum (NPF): A green and digital future
March 2023
This policy commission called for written evidence on how to deliver green growth across the country. It sought recommendations on policies that can help deliver Labour's Green Prosperity plan and Industrial strategy, as well as views on the implications of the specific policy proposals on those with protected characteristics.
Our response points to the importance of taking an integrated approach to the development of social infrastructure developments and encourages the Labour Party turbocharge green growth within the built environment.
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Design of the Energy Company Obligation ECO+ 2023-2026
December 2022
This consultation sought views on proposals for the Energy Company Obligation Plus (ECO+) scheme to deliver energy efficiency measures in homes across Great Britain from 2023-2026.
Our response welcomed the ambition of the ECO+ but maintained our positions on a National Retrofit Strategy, including adequate green finance mechanisms, without which the Energy Company Obligation will fall short of a success. We called on the government to focus on utilising a whole house retrofit approach and deliver support targeted towards those who need it most, as well as ensuring mistakes in previous schemes such as stop-start funding are not repeated.
Read our response to the consultation on the Design of the Energy Company Obligation ECO+. (PDF).
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Review of Net Zero: call for evidence
October 2022
This call for evidence asked for evidence on the government's approach to delivery of its net zero target, as part of an Independent Review of Net Zero.
Our response highlighted our key positions on sustainability and called on the government to set operational energy and embodied carbon targets, undertake Post Occupancy Evaluations, tackle energy demand by introducing National Retrofit Strategy and ultimately make improving the energy efficiency of England's building stock a national infrastructure priority.
Read our response to the call for evidence on the Net Zero Review. (PDF)
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Update to Green Finance Strategy: call for evidence
June 2022
This call for evidence asked for feedback to support the development of an update to the UK’s Green Finance Strategy.
Our response called on the government to focus on retrofitting our homes to demonstrate the UK is a leading global centre for green finance, collaborate with the financial sector to promote private investment in energy efficiency and ensure the UK Infrastructure Bank plays a key role in decarbonising our existing housing stock.
Read our response to the call for evidence. (PDF)
Environmental Audit Committee: Accelerating the transition from fossil fuels and securing energy supplies
May 2022
This inquiry examined the government’s policies for securing energy supplies and accelerating the transition from fossil fuels.
The RIBA response called on the government to tackle energy demand within buildings by introducing a National Retrofit Strategy, and make improving the energy efficiency of England’s building stock a national infrastructure priority.
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Towards a market for low emissions industrial products: call for evidence
February 2022
This call for evidence focussed on the design and implementation of policies that can encourage the market for low emissions industrial products to grow.
Our response called on the government to use public procurement to drive demand for low emissions products and set embodied carbon targets to ensure the full carbon impact of a building is measured.
Read our response to the call for evidence towards a market for low emissions industrial products. (PDF)
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Phasing out the installation of fossil fuel heating systems in homes off the gas grid
January 2022
This consultation sought views on the government's proposals to phase out fossil fuel heating system installations in homes off the gas grid.
Our response called on the government to consider additional trigger points for the natural boiler replacement cycle such as point of sale, let or renovation, implement a National Retrofit Strategy which includes substantial and sustained government funding and policy interventions for homeowners that provide low-cost finance options and incentives such as a sliding scale of Stamp Duty and ensure fabric first and whole house retrofit approaches were prioritised.
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Phasing out the installation of fossil fuel heating systems in businesses and public buildings off the gas grid
January 2022
This consultation sought views on the government's proposals to phase out fossil fuel heating system installations in businesses and public buildings off the gas grid.
Our response called on the government to introduce this policy for the largest buildings first, ensure the proposals in the consultation complement the proposed Performance-Based Policy Framework in large Commercial and Industrial Buildings in England and Wales and the Private Rented Sector Regulations on minimum energy efficiency standards, and consider embodied carbon targets to ensure the full carbon impact of a building is measured.
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Design of the Energy Company Obligation ECO4: 2022-2026
September 2021
This consultation sought views on the future design of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme.
Our response called on the government to ensure a net zero mandate is cemented into ECO4, those who are fuel poor are properly targeted and that local authorities are fully equipped to support and deliver the transition to net zero.
Read our response to the Design of the Energy Company Obligation ECO4 consultation.(PDF)
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee: Net zero governance
August 2021
This inquiry examined the leadership and co-ordination which will be needed by government to deliver on the UK’s commitment to reach net zero by 2050.
Our response highlighted that to date the cross-departmental nature of energy efficiency has meant that crucial elements of its policy have been lost between departmental remits. The RIBA recommends that improving the energy efficiency of England’s building stock becomes a national infrastructure priority, which will help ensure adequate funding and long-term policies.
Read our full response to the net zero governance inquiry. (PDF)
Environmental Audit Committee: Mapping the path to net zero: local government and net zero in England
August 2021
This inquiry looked into the roles and responsibilities of local authorities, the role of the planning system and funding and resource capabilities of local authorities to ensure we reach net zero.
The RIBA response called on the government to bring forward a framework for delivery of climate targets, that takes into consideration local contexts, introduce a National Retrofit Strategy and ensuring sustainability is at the heart of the planning system.
Read our response on local government and net zero in England. (PDF)
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Introducing a performance-based policy framework in large commercial and industrial buildings in England and Wales
June 2021
This two part consultation sought views on the government’s proposals to introduce a national performance-based policy framework for rating the energy and carbon performance of large commercial and industrial buildings and how this should be implemented in large offices.
Our response called on the government to design the performance-based policy with the intention to extend to all commercial and industrial buildings in the long-term, set out a clear timetable for implementation for other sectors and ensure the incentives adequately drive performance improvements.
Read our response to the consultation on the performance-based policy framework. (PDF)
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: The Non-Domestic Private Rented Sector Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards – implementation of the EPC B future target
June 2021
This consultation follows on from the government's 2019 consultation on improving the energy efficiency of the non-domestic private rented sector. This consultation sought views on how to improve implementation and enforcement of the new standards.
Our response called on the government to introduce an interim energy efficiency milestone to ensure improvement works aren't left until the last moment and ensure local authorities have the funding and skills to enforce the minimum energy efficiency standards.
Read our response to the consultation on the implementation of the EPC B future target. (PDF)
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Consultation on the draft policy statement on environmental principles
June 2021
This consultation sought views on the draft policy statement on environmental principles which sets out how those five internationally recognised environmental principles should be interpreted and proportionately applied.
Our response highlighted that the government policy must consider the best outcome for the environment, even if that means “not doing something”, rather than simply making policy as sustainable as possible.
Read our response to the consultation on the draft policy statement on environmental principles. (PDF)
Environmental Audit Committee: Sustainability of the built environment
May 2021
This inquiry looked at the best routes to net zero for our future building needs, including low carbon materials and policies to minimise the whole life carbon impact of new buildings.
The RIBA response called on the government to set operational energy and embodied carbon targets for buildings, and embed Post Occupancy Evaluation in all projects. We also suggest that the government must introduce a National Retrofit Strategy to ensure our existing housing stock reaches net zero.
Read our response to the sustainability and built environment inquiry. (PDF)
Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee: Local government and the path to net zero
April 2021
This inquiry aimed scrutinise the government’s plans to make all new homes “zero carbon ready,” through the introduction of the Future Homes Standard, and to explore how local government can help the UK to reduce its carbon emissions to net zero by 2050.
Our response called on the government to set actual performance energy targets, promoting and undertake Post Occupancy Evaluation to help close the performance gap and bring forward additional funding and resources for local authorities to help improve the energy efficiency of the building stock in their local area.
Read our response to the inquiry on local government and the path to net zero. (PDF)
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Future Buildings Standard
April 2021
This consultation sought views on changes to Part L (conservation of fuel and power) and Part F (ventilation) of the Building Regulations for non-domestic buildings and dwellings; and overheating in new residential buildings.
Our response called on government to start measuring operational energy and embodied carbon and set ambitious targets for these metrics.
Read our response to the Future Buildings Standard consultation. (PDF)
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Local factors in managing flood and coastal erosion risk and property flood resilience – call for evidence
March 2021
This consultation looked at further ways to increase the uptake of property flood resilience measures to enable householders and businesses to better prepare for flooding.
Our response highlighted that architecture plays a critical role in mitigating flood risk and that the planning system and Building Regulations should include flood resilient design.
Read our response to the consultation on managing flood and coastal erosion risk. (PDF)
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Improving home energy performance through lenders
February 2021
This consultation called for views on how the government can encourage lenders to improve the energy performance of mortgaged properties to help deliver substantial emissions reductions.
Our response called on the government to require lenders to disclose the energy performance of their portfolios, consider embodied carbon targets and promote a fabric first approach to retrofitting.
Read our response to the consultation on improving home energy performance through lenders. (PDF)
House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee: Green Jobs
January 2021
This inquiry sought views on the jobs, skills and training needed to achieve the UK’s longer term climate and environmental ambitions. It also looked at how green jobs can help tackle the expected rise in unemployment due to COVID-19.
Our response highlighted the role that improving the energy efficiency of our homes can play in creating thousands of new green jobs. It also highlighted the importance of adequate funding for training and education to ensure the UK has the relevant skills and expertise to do retrofit safely and effectively.
Read our response to the Green Jobs inquiry. (PDF)
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes in England and Wales
January 2021
This consultation called for views on how the government should bring forward higher standards for energy efficiency within the private rented sector.
Our response called on the government to introduce a dual metric to measure energy efficiency, increase the cost cap to £15,000 and consider embodied carbon to improve the energy efficiency of the private rented sector.
House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee: Technological Innovations and Climate Change - Heat Pumps
November 2020
This inquiry called for views on how heat pumps can be effectively rolled out across the country.
Our response noted that while heat pumps can be effective way to achieve low carbon heating, fabric efficiency must be the primary consideration when designing a new home. For existing homes, heat pumps should form part of a “whole house” retrofit plan.
Read our response to the heat pumps inquiry. (PDF)
House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee: Flooding
August 2020
This inquiry was interested in hearing views on how the government is proactively and reactively responding to flooding in England.
Our response highlighted the import role that design and architects can play in mitigating flood risk. Good design makes communities healthier and safer before, during, and after flooding events.
Read our response to the flooding inquiry. (PDF)
House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee: Energy Efficiency in Existing Homes
July 2020
This inquiry sought views on how the government should improve the energy efficiency of existing homes to help the UK reach its climate goals.
Our response urged government to implement a National Retrofit Strategy with adequate funding and incentives to ensure the 19 million homes that require retrofitting are reached.
Read our response to the Energy Efficiency in Existing Homes inquiry. (PDF)
House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee: Possible Future Inquiries
April 2020
This inquiry sought views on which inquiries the Environmental Audit Committee should take forward. We recommended two inquires: energy efficiency of existing homes, and the role of local authorities in reaching net zero.
Read our response to House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee inquiry. (PDF)
NHS Net Zero: call for evidence
March 2020
This consultation asked for ideas on how the NHS can continue to reduce its carbon emissions and become greener. We recommended that all NHS buildings consider whole life carbon and utilise Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE).
Read our response to the NHS Net Zero consultation. (PDF)
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Future Homes Standard
February 2020
This consultation sought views on the regulations governing the energy performance of new residential buildings. The Future Homes Standard consultation looks at proposed changes to Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) and Part F (Ventilation) of the Building Regulations.
Our response called on government to set ambitious targets for new homes in line with the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge.
Read our response to the Future Homes Standard consultation.
Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: Non-domestic private rented sector minimum energy efficiency standards
January 2020
This consultation sought views on how best to improve the energy performance of non-domestic private rented buildings through tighter minimum energy standards. Our response called for government to mandate that non-domestic buildings use Display Energy Certificates (DECs) to measure operational energy.
House of Commons Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee: energy efficiency - building towards net zero
January 2019
The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee launched an inquiry into the government’s approach to delivering energy efficiency improvements to buildings. Our response calls for energy efficiency to be made a national infrastructure priority.
Read our response to energy efficiency - building towards net zero inquiry.
Green recovery
House of Commons Treasury Committee: Decarbonisation and green finance
August 2020
The Treasury Committee was interested to find out if HM Treasury should be directly funding green infrastructure as part of its coronavirus spending package.
Our response recommended prioritising additional public investment and reviewing tax mechanisms to incentivise energy efficient retrofits in existing homes. We also suggested that HM Treasury should ensure that publicly funded infrastructure projects are providing value for money by requiring the use of Post Occupancy Evaluation.
Read our response to the decarbonisation and green finance inquiry. (PDF)
House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee: Greening the post-COVID recovery
August 2020
This inquiry sought views on how the government should prioritise the environment in its response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Our response noted that the built environment has a key role in supporting an environmentally friendly recovery from the pandemic. Improving the energy efficiency of our existing housing stock and ensuring new buildings do not negatively impact the environment are key to a green recovery.
Read our response to the Greening the post-COVID recovery inquiry. (PDF)
House of Commons Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee: Post-pandemic economic growth
July 2020
The BEIS Select Committee launched an inquiry into post-pandemic economic growth, including which sectors should be included, and what the government's priorities should include. Our response highlighted the importance of the built environment in post-pandemic economic growth while helping the UK meet its climate goals.
Read our response to the inquiry on post-pandemic economic growth. (PDF)
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: written submission on economic recovery from COVID-19 - green recovery
June 2020
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy asked the RIBA to provide details on how the built environment can assist with a green recovery post-coronavirus (COVID-19).
Our response highlighted the importance of addressing energy efficiency in existing homes as a key element of the UK’s green recovery.
Read our written submission on green recovery. (PDF)
The Labour Party: Green recovery consultation
June 2020
The Labour Party were looking for information on what should be included in their green recovery policies.
We recommended that the Labour Party endorse embodied carbon targets and promote the use of Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE).
Read our submission to the Labour Party: Green recovery consultation. (PDF)
