Government on Climate Change

The UK Government’s focus on putting Climate change at the heart of its environmental agenda was made clear by three recent initiatives. First the Stern report on Climate Change, commissioned by Gordon Brown at the Treasury, highlighted de-forestation as one of the major contributors to climate change and called for more international co-operation on this key issue.

Then the new Code for Sustainable Homes was announced which will be relevant to all new buildings in England from April this year. This builds on the existing Eco Homes scheme run by BRE, which remains in force for refurbished homes in England and new homes in Scotland.

And in all too rare an example of joined up thinking, the autumn budget report announced incentives for the development and sale of carbon zero homes, although there is huge debate about the exact definition of carbon zero in this context.

Timbmet Silverman is monitoring all these developments closely and will be advising customers of the implications as the new schemes come into force. Added to the Government’s plans for all public sector procurement to be guided by sustainable criteria, it means that purchasing timber from anything but a reputable, traceable source will just create huge problems for customers.

Article date: 17-01-2007