Using ecological modernisation theory to account for the evolution of the zero-carbon homes agenda in England

ABSTRACT

Despite early successes, the ‘zero-carbon homes’ agenda in England is being wound down. Ecological modernisation theory, which focuses on the way in which political, economic, and social forces interact with one other in the provision of environmental goods and services, is used to explain this. Existing literature on zero-carbon homes is fragmented, with scholars focusing on a range of social, economic, or political explanations. Ecological modernisation theory reconciles these various strands to produce a nuanced explanation for this agenda’s evolution. An ambitious but poorly defined legislative approach placed a burden on house-builders to meet compliance costs associated with zero-carbon, but framing sustainability economistically also led to considerable uncertainty. The 2008 financial crisis, the politicisation of housing, and the election of a government with a deregulatory mandate influenced the resilience of the policy agenda as private-sector actors exploited the uncertainty and political will in order to evade their policy burdens.

KEYWORDS:

• ecological modernisation theory
• zero-carbon homes
• sustainable homes

Acknowledgements

I am grateful to Sevasti-Eleni Vezirgiannidou, David Toke, Daniel Greenwood, Emma Foster, Fiona Nunan, John Dryzek, Mattias Hjort, Timea Notchta, and two anonymous reviewers for their suggestions and thoughts.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1. BRE, the architects of the CSH, introduced a voluntary Home Quality Mark to replace it. The major difference between the two is that the latter is directed much more explicitly towards homebuyers as a rating for the overall build quality (including sustainability) of a home, with the hope that buyers will price accordingly, but also that developers will differentiate their product using the mark. Importantly, it has not been referenced in either national or local regulation, leaving it completely voluntary for developers to build to these standards. However, it remains to be seen whether this will lead to shifting consumer and producer attitudes.

2. This requirement has been reinforced under the Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition (2010–2015) and Conservative (2015–) governments.