Britain needs more energy efficient and safe homes. But targets miss the point

Last week, Tory MPs voted against Michael Gove’s target to deliver 300,000. homes per year in England. Because of the scale of the rebellion, the Settlement Bill would not allow for the vote on planning reforms.

Although a government upgrading strategy can make a difference, its focus on numbers and short term goals could lead to a missed opportunity for long term change.

Housing and planning decision makers are taking a more holistic approach to planning and housing. This includes looking at decades and not just years.

Despite the current focus on affordable housing, as well as the immediate need to control energy prices, there are still questions about how our housing stock will survive, last, and be preserved in the future.

The UK could be subject to a range economic and social risks without policy reform and promotion of a more collaborative culture within the sector. This includes higher than average energy bills, lower resale values of homes, and increased exposure to extreme weather conditions.

The government’s recent insulation package will increase energy efficiency and reduce costs, but its retrofitting approach requires a longer-term view. Incentives have tended to be more beneficial for consumers than the building sector and have not addressed the complexities and intricacies of the materials and installation process that are required to make buildings more sustainable.

Future incentives should take into consideration these complexities and support consumers, businesses, and industry to adopt the sustainability agenda. The Sustainable Buildings Task Force should be involved in the development of any new measures.

The government must also focus its attention on the bigger role the built environment can play to mitigate emerging risks and create positive outcomes for communities. Smart technologies can be integrated into homes to improve efficiency, sustainability, and performance. The government should encourage the construction industry to quickly adopt new technologies, and be more innovative in their approach to construction. Fully connected homes can reduce energy consumption by 30%, self-report fire and flood risks, and order repairs based upon data from hundreds sensors that have been evaluated by artificial intelligence.

Smart homes become smart communities. Smart cities and communities can streamline utilities such as water supply, power system management, waste disposal, and risk identification. The potential benefits are immense – from increased energy efficiency to greater resilience in the face unexpected risks.

Everyone will benefit from safer and more sustainable buildings, whether they are local and central government officials or private individuals. It can increase productivity and protect the environment.

Both the public and private sector must work together in order to reap the benefits of a well-planned and energy-efficient built environment that is more resilient and sustainable. We risk losing our transition towards net zero if we fail to do so.