An industry advisory body has delivered its recommendations to government on how much on-site energy must be produced on new housing developments from 2016

On-site reductions in emissions - or “carbon compliance” - form part of the government’s strategy for achieving zero-carbon homes, alongside off-site “allowable solutions” such as renewables.

The Zero Carbon Hub, a task force made up of 25 industry, environmental and consumer groups, recommends that 60% of emissions are mitigated on site for detached houses, 56% for attached houses and 44% for low-rise apartment blocks.

The recommendations fall some way short of those proposed by the Labour government, which had targeted 70% of emissions on site.