Green standards for new buildings in Wales intended to cut carbon emissions and improve their sustainability were announced by Environment, Sustainability & Housing Minister Jane Davidson.

The move makes Wales the first part of the UK to set a national standard for sustainable buildings to be met through the planning system.

The Welsh Assembly Government planning policy sets a national standard for sustainability for most new buildings proposed in Wales from the 1 September 2009.

For new homes this will:

• reduce their carbon emissions by more than 31% compared to current building regulations through energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy
• reduce the consumption of water
• use more sustainable materials

Launching the policy Ms Davidson said: "This is another demonstration of the Welsh Assembly Government's commitment to protecting our environment for future generations. I am determined to use the planning system to move towards zero carbon buildings.


"Making our buildings greener will play an important part in reducing our carbon footprint as the built environment is the largest contributor to greenhouse gasses in Wales. The way in which we construct our homes and buildings accounts for 40 per cent of our total carbon emissions. We need to do everything we can to make new buildings, from our homes through to our offices, as environmentally friendly as possible. The new policy will play a key role in achieving this."

(CD/JM)