The construction of UK sustainable housing policy and the role of pressure groups

UK sustainable housing policy defines sustainability in technical environmental terms, but a social dimension is present in some policy measures. The various measures (exhortatory, regulatory and economic) are outlined. Particular focus is placed on the ‘100% zero carbon by 2016’ objective for new housing and the measures designed to achieve it. The development of the policy is explained in terms of international commitments, party politics, lobbying by the building materials and energy industries, and by ‘pioneer’ local governments. The policy has not been the object of a mass environmental movement, and has low political saliency. The tension between Building Regulations, supported by the housebuilding industry, and local government planning policy as policy tools is discussed. It is argued that the reluctance of the housebuilding industry to include sustainability features in new houses undermines its influence vis-a-vis that of other industries and of local government.