Eco-towns 'could deliver zero-carbon homes'
The government's drive for energy efficiency continues today with the announcement of £2 million in funding for the planning of environmentally-friendly towns.
According to housing minister Yvette Cooper, groups of between 5,000 and 10,000 new homes could be built on brownfield land and utilise eco-friendly features - which could include alternative heating methods or energy-efficient boiler controls.
Yesterday, the Telegraph noted that half of the UK's carbon emissions are generated by the heating and lighting of houses, so the proposed eco-towns could contribute towards the drive for zero-carbon new homes.
"[The eco-towns] could use public transport and new green designs to deliver low cost and low carbon homes for the future," said Ms Cooper. "They could build low-carbon design into the fabric of the community, not just into individual houses."
Currently, the government has a target of cutting carbon emissions by 20 per cent in the next three years and 60 per cent by 2050.
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