Developers need to change their outlook to meet the Government's eco-homes targets, reports Mike Smith for RICS Business.

More than a quarter of Britain’s carbon emissions come from residential properties, prompting a raft of ‘sustainable homes’ proposals which are among the most ambitious in the world.

The Code for Sustainable Homes calls on developers to make all new homes zero-carbon by 2016.

It comes at the same time as the Government has asked the industry to increase production to 240,000 new homes a year, from the current 180,000.

The Code, unveiled in December 2006, rates houses one to six, with six being the most sustainable.

Homes are rated on a range of criteria, including materials, pollution, energy/CO2, water, surface water run-off, health and well-being, management, ecology and waste.

Is society ready to help the planet by making the move to sustainable housing? Continue reading the article in RICS Business April 2008.