As published in ‘Building(16.09.11)’ the government has been accused of a U-turn over applying key energy efficiency measure to commercial buildings, with huge repercussions to the construction and property industry.
In March 2011 the coalition government committed to the roll out of Display Energy Certificates (DEC), which are used to rate the ‘actual’ energy performance of public buildings (a building energy M.O.T), to all commercial buildings by the end of October 2012.
The block is apprently due to the Chancellor not wanting to increase business regulation. -DECs are supported by the CBI and the British Property Federation. The U-turn is expected to cost the construction industry millions in lost upgrade works. Commercial buildings account for 17% of carbon emissions.
‘This apparent U-turn on the roll out of DECs will undoubtedly impact the rate of growth in the construction sector as well as working against the governments own committed EU carbon emission reduction plan objectives’ . Alan King, Managing Director of Syntegra Consulting Ltd
