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A rating against the Code for Sustainable Homes, which measures nine categories of sustainable design including energy, water and waste, will be required for all new homes. Homes which exceed the sustainable standards in existing Building Regulations will be awarded up to six stars. Those homes that have not been assessed against the Code will score a nil-rating.

Speaking at the Eco Build 2008 conference, Housing Minister Caroline Flint said:
"We need to tackle climate change by improving how green and energy efficient our homes are. New build housing will play an important part in this, and we are already committed to all new housing being zero carbon from 2016. These measures are essential in tackling climate change.

"By requiring a rating for all new homes against the Code for Sustainable Homes in the run up to 2016, we are making the standards that different homes reach more transparent and are creating an important incentive for house builders to provide greener, more sustainable homes.

"Providing these ratings will also give buyers valuable information about their home, allowing them to make an informed choice and helping people to reduce their own household carbon emissions."

Welcoming the announcement Paul King of the UK Green Building Council said:
"The Code for Sustainable Homes will fundamentally change the way we build and buy new homes in this country. Buyers of new homes, for the first time, will see how green their home is - not just on its carbon emissions, but on other vital issues such as water consumption and impact on biodiversity. This will help stimulate the market for green building as consumers demand more sustainable homes that have lower energy bills, are built producing less needless waste and that are great places to live.

"For industry, the Code plays a crucial role setting the trajectory towards the target of all new homes emitting zero carbon from 2016. This goal has brought about a fundamental change in mindset, galvanising the construction sector and is already producing really innovative design. We still have challenges to overcome to bring sustainable homes genuinely into the mainstream, not least in the existing stock, but this represents a vitally important step and one for which Government should be congratulated."

Code for Sustainable Homes
The Code for Sustainable Homes is the national standard for the sustainable design and construction of new homes. It measures the sustainability of a new home against nine categories of sustainable design.  These categories are: Energy & CO2 Emissions; Water; Materials; Surface Water Run-off; Waste; Pollution; Health & Wellbeing; Management and Ecology.  This will provide buyers and developers with a common standard on sustainability.

The Code introduces new minimum standards in Building Regulations to make new homes more water-efficient - it is estimated that by installing low flush toilets and more water efficient taps in new homes we could reduce household consumption by up to 20 percent.

The Code not only encourages builders to work to particular standards, but also seeks to encourage particular behavioural changes in the residents.  For example, the home gains credits if it has: secure, sheltered storage for bicycles; a space dedicated to air-drying clothes, instead simply creating space for a tumble dryer; composting facilities; and a space for a home office.

Currently there are 1.1 million people in the UK who have non-traditional work patterns. The benefits of working from home include reductions in transport movements, increased time available for the home worker and greater opportunities to participate within community activities.