CIBSE welcomes the long-awaited updated regulations for England that give effect to the new Future Homes and Buildings Standards (FHBS). These regulatory changes (with updates to Approved Documents L and F) intend to reduce carbon emissions in new homes and non-domestic buildings by up to 75% (compared to the 2013 standard). Once introduced from 2027, this will be a welcome step towards the ambition of net zero homes and buildings.
CIBSE, along with other organisations across the industry, have already been paving the way to deliver net zero carbon in the built environment, with the recent publication of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard, demonstrating cross-sectoral leadership and consensus on what constitutes net zero carbon-aligned buildings.
CIBSE welcomes extensive references to our knowledge, guides and technical memoranda, both as part of the consolidated responses to the initial consultation (which was launched at the end of 2024) and as part of the Government’s response. We were also pleased to see CIBSE specifically referenced in the Minister's written ministerial statement in Parliament, with reference to our design methodology for the assessment of overheating risk in homes (CIBSE TM59). Other references to our work include the Domestic Building Services Panel's Domestic Heating Design Guide, Guide A (Environmental Design), CIBSE TM23 (Testing Buildings for Air Leakage), CP1 Heat Networks Codes of Practice, CIBSE TM39 Building Energy Metering, CIBSE TM54 (Evaluating Operational Energy Use at the Design Stage), our Energy Benchmarking Tool and SLL's Code for Lighting.
As part of these changes, the Government has also published its response to a call for evidence on Approved Document O (overheating). CIBSE strongly supports the Government’s ongoing commitment to mitigating overheating risk in buildings and homes through regulations. We particularly welcome the announcement of a review of Part O and how regulations can further align to CIBSE TM59.
CIBSE will publish its analysis of the technical implications in the coming days, including whether these changes meet the intent of delivering 'zero carbon ready' buildings. We look forward to working with the Government on the further work proposed in this update to ensure that net zero homes and buildings become a reality.