Industry figures have slated the government’s long-delayed draft Code for Sustainable Buildings, saying it is watered down and fails to address social and economic issues.

The Code, launched last month, aims to make new homes more sustainable, but no longer covers commercial or retail buildings.

CIBSE said it was “disappointed” with the government’s obsession with homes because most of its members would be more influential reducing CO2 emissions in commercial properties.

Sue Innes, director of sustainability at Constructing Excellence, called the code “worse than nothing,” saying it would cause confusion because it fails to acknowledge social and economic sustainability.

Consultation on the Code ends on 6 March. Innes said: “I would urge everybody in construction to comment on the draft – that way we can make a difference”.

For more on the code see News Analysis page 11.

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Building Sustainable Design