<p>The drive towards zero carbon homes by 2016 has gathered pace, with the launch of the Zero Carbon hub.</p> <br><p>The public-private partnership will draw together all elements of the zero carbon agenda such as technical issues and skills, and over the next six months will work with government and industry to devise a delivery programme, based on a range of work groups. It will continue to work on an official definition of zero carbon and build up a series of exemplar buildings.</p> <br><p>Paul King, chief executive of the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), has been appointed interim chairman, and Neil Jefferson, general manager of the NHBC, will act as interim chief executive until March 2009, when the positions will be reviewed.</p> <br><p>The hub will report to the 2016 zero carbon task force, chaired by housing minister Caroline Flint and Stewart Baseley, executive chairman of the HBF.</p> <br><p>Paul King commented that the hub faced a demanding timetable but had industry support: “I’m pleased by the reactions we’ve had from groups already active in zero carbon delivery. The hub will make sure there are no overlaps within the groups and that we’re all going in the right direction.” <br> <br></p>