Mr Healey hopes the new Part L regulations, due to take affect in October this year, will force builders to take practical steps to make buildings greener.

However, following his announcement today (March 12) of the 25% cut, green professionals are questioning the way the Government has consulted on the scheme.

Principal consultant at sustainability consultancy Inbuilt, Mel Starrs, said: “One concern during the consultation on these regulations has been how the aggregated approach to non-domestic buildings would be translated to real life.

“For instance how will we be able to predict what carbon savings are required for compliance at very early concept design stage.

“These issues are much more complicated than for housing, and we look forward to seeing the detail of how this will be tackled in the Approved Documents.”

Mr Healey said: “The higher green standards we’re bringing in this year will cut emissions and play a crucial part in achieving our zero carbon policies.

“Nearly half the UK’s carbon emissions come from our buildings, but more than one in three of the buildings we’ll be working in and living in by 2050 have not yet been built, so action now can make a real difference in the future.”

The move follows just a week after the launch of the Greener Homes strategy, a video of which can be viewed below.

Luke Walsh

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