Debate heats up over zero-carbon axe decision

The dust is settling on the announcement, but the feelings are still raw. As one seasoned policy wonk put it: “There’s something sobering about watching several years of your life disappear in a week.”

Tongue in cheek, perhaps, but there is no doubt about the anger and frustration among many who put in so much time to making this policy work. The sheer number of wasted hours (and government funding actually) does not bear thinking about.

In the cold light of day, there are several key challenges that emerge. First, government is absolutely miles apart from large swathes of progressive business in its approach to carbon reductions. One sees it as a burden, the other an opportunity. Encouragingly, there is a broad consensus among many of the trade bodies, professional institutions and membership groups. Those of like minds need to collaborate on an unprecedented scale in order to get our message across to government and prevent any further damage.

Second, government used to lead on policy, and business followed. The bar got raised on the laggards. If that model is now largely dead, a major rethink is needed on how to catalyse change in the property industry - which may not necessarily be a bad thing. It requires a relentless focus on the business case for sustainability, and more creative ways to demonstrate value in leadership. Perhaps it also means we have to call out those who seek to profit from inaction and reactionary behaviour.

Third, the role of local authorities also comes into sharp focus. There will be a few developers rubbing their hands at the stripping away of regulation, but I say be careful what you wish for. Although Osborne gives with one hand on devolution and takes away with the other, the long-term trend must be for greater local autonomy - over planning, regulations and crucially revenue-raising - particularly for the large cities. The next few months and years may get messy in respect of local authority standards, but finding a viable way for cities to show leadership on sustainability, working in partnership with the property sector, suddenly looks like a top priority.

John Alker, director of policy and communications, UK Green Building Council