The UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC) has today responded to two policy announcements relating to green buildings from the government.

The Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) has published the long-awaited consultation on Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and confirmed that it will adhere to the fourth carbon budget.

In response, chief executive of UK-GBC Paul King said the announcements "represent a strong green light for investment in low-carbon homes and buildings, bringing to an end months of uncertainty on some of the most important policies affecting energy efficiency."

In a written ministerial statement, Energy Secretary Edward Davey confirmed that the coalition will not be amending the fourth carbon budget, which commits the UK to a target of halving emissions relative to 1990 levels during the period from 2023 to 2027.