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A group of UK MPs – the All Party Urban Development Group – has launched an inquiry into potential ways to reduce the impact of non-domestic urban buildings on the environment.

Currently buildings generate around 40% of CO₂ emissions in the UK – half from residential dwellings and half from other buildings. The buildings sector has also been highlighted by the International Energy Agency and the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change as the one with most potential for improvement through energy efficiency measures.

Individual residents are now being targeted to make their homes more energy efficient, but the non-domestic sector has been the focus of much less activity. That is now set to change as the focus of Government attention turns to the non-domestic sector with its many large buildings. According to the 2008 Budget, the Government is currently considering policy options that would stipulate that all new buildings have to be carbon neutral by 2019. However, new buildings make up a very small proportion of the total stock, so the Government is also looking at measures to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions from current stock.

It is on ways to improve existing non-domestic building that the All Party Urban Development Group inquiry is calling for suggestions from relevant organisations and other interested. The group is looking for feedback from local government, central government, non-profit organisations and the private sector as to how it can be made easier to improve the energy efficiency and reduce the emissions from city centre and business district buildings. Measures under consideration could include regulations, financial incentives and educational campaigns.

The deadline for initial submissions is May 5, with detailed consultations expected later in 2008.

For further information: www.allparty-urbandevelopment.org.uk/meetings__inquiry_sessions.html