<p><span>Twenty percent of people cite the environment as one of the top three key issues facing the country, according to research revealed by the Home Builders Federation today (January 8) as it holds a summit on reaching net zero carbon housing and tackling other environmental concerns.</span><br/></p> <p><span>But the research, based on polling by Public First, “shows the scale of the challenge faced by the housebuilding sector”, HBF said, with results also revealing that, while 20% of respondents put the environment above other issues including terrorism and taxation, 54% were unaware of the energy efficiency rating of their current home upon moving in.</span></p> <p><span>In explaining why they chose an environmentally friendly home, participants favoured saving money over environmental concerns, according to the polling.</span></p> <p><span>Only 8% said they had lived in a home, or knew someone who had lived in a home, with a heat pump. And, 80% of respondents are living in a home with a gas boiler, “underlining the scale of the task posed by the requirement to heat new homes without gas boilers from 2025,” HBF said.</span></p> <p><span>HBF added that customers were “absolutely key” to tackling the myriad challenges of the government’s net zero commitments.</span><br/></p> <p><span>At today’s summit, HBF …