The issue

In 2004, the UK emitted more than 150 million tonnes of CO2, with more than 25 per cent of this coming from the energy used to heat, light and run our homes.

Many UK cities are under-going a rapid programme of urban regeneration, with local authorities and their private sector partners under increasing pressure to make our cities more sustainable.

This means reducing the environmental impact of new build developments, while also increasing the use of more environmentally-friendly technologies both in their construction and as a way of meeting future energy needs.

In December 2006, the Government launched the Code for Sustainable Homes as part of a package of measures aimed at developing a new generation of dwellings built in a way that minimises energy use.

The Code is a single national standard covering the design and construction of sustainable homes. It measures sustainability against six categories, including energy and CO2 emissions, before rating its overall energy performance.

The Government has also introduced the Carbon Challenge, an ambitious programme designed to accelerate the house building industry's response to climate change by fast-tracking the creation of a number of zero and near zero carbon communities.

The solution

To meet these challenges, developers need to be both forward thinking and open minded about setting up new partnerships with companies experienced in efficient energy.

Vital Energi is already working with a number of agencies, regeneration companies and developers to deliver these new low carbon communities. We are also helping to ensure their long term sustainability by introducing technologies such as community heating schemes incorporating CHP, where energy is supplied from renewable or low carbon energy sources