Greater and greener homes: more homes, ready for net zero

The UK is facing both a housing and climate crisis. We are not building enough homes. And the houses we do build are not green enough to support this country’s transition to a net-zero economy. Bolder public policy is needed to support both greater and greener homes.

This report outlines and examines the key changes in government policy since 2010 to increase housing supply and reduce carbon emissions from new homes, before proposing new policies to achieve two core policy objectives. First, to speed up the delivery of new homes where development is most sustainable, such as near workplaces, shops and sustainable transport links. Second, to ensure new homes are compliant with reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Keeping the lights on: security of supply after coal

The Government has announced that it will phase out the use of coal in electricity generation by the mid-2020s, making the UK the first country to use coal for electricity generation and now the first developed country to phase it out completely. Since the announcement, however, there has been concern about the implications for the UK’s energy security as coal is removed from the grid.

This report analyses the impact of the coal phase-out on the power system, the demand for gas, the UK’s emissions targets and households bills. The lights will stay on. In fact, it is feasible and desirable to phase out coal currently planned.