<p>The government has published its long-awaited <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/953791/Government_response_to_Future_Homes_Standard_consultation.pdf">response</a> to its Future Homes Standard consultation, with new homes expected to achieve a 31% reduction in carbon emissions from <span>2021.</span></p> <p>The consultation - <i>The Future Homes Standard: changes to Part L and Part F of the Building Regulations for new dwellings</i> – which ran from October 2019 to February 2020, offered two options for improving the energy efficiency of new homes through Part L: a 20% reduction in emissions against current standards through the fabric, or the tougher 31% improvement, involving the fabric and use of technologies.</p> <p>New homes will also be subject to an overheating mitigation requirement through Building Regulations, a <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/the-future-buildings-standard">consultation</a> on which runs until April 13.</p> <p>The announced changes, <span>it is envisaged, </span>will be introduced in late 2021 <span>to come into effect </span>in 2022. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said the one-year transitional arrangements would apply to individual homes, not entire schemes.</p> <p>The long-anticipated changes to Part L and F are part of the government’s preparation for its Future Homes Standard. Under this, all new homes must be “highly energy efficient”, featuring low carbon heating and be “zero carbon ready” by 2025, with the …