Leading UK developers, modular builders and the government have partnered up with environmental groups to work closely together to achieve net zero homes that will be ready within four years. Peabody and Barratt Homes have committed to build housing that is “consistently low carbon, nature rich, resilient, healthy, well-designed and beautiful” alongside Homes England and the National Home Building Fund.

Large housebuilders Redrow, Persimmon, Countryside, Crest Nicholson, Taylor Wimpey, Bellway are all supporting the scheme, alongside modular builders Top Hat and Ilke Homes who all aim to achieve the initiative by 2025.

Housing secretary Robert Jenrick said: “It is right that the industry is stepping up to play a leadership role here: delivery and innovation to meet the challenges requires common purpose and partnerships that are being formed.”

Environmental agencies including the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the UK Green Building Council, National Housing Federation, the Federation of Master Builders, Construction Products Association and the Environment Agency are all included in the sector-wide plan.

This is the first sector-wide plan in the UK to cover all environmental targets, including net zero carbon emissions, air, water quality, waste and nature. Leaders have announced the launch of a future homes delivery hub, which will be open in September and will help to drive the development of sustainable housing.

Goals also include developing production and construction methods that are net zero by 2050 and to achieve a 50% reduction of carbon by 2030.

Home Builders Federation boss Neil Jefferson, who chairs the taskforce, said the housing sector is “taking leadership” of the government’s net zero agenda. “The government has set out a clear legal framework for tackling climate change and restoring the natural world,” he said.

“Meeting these targets means a wholesale change in how we design and build homes for future generations. This is a challenge we are committed to tackling head on.”

He added that supporters will hold each other to account to ensure they “deliver on this vital agenda as quickly and effectively as is possible”.

Homes England chief land and development officer Stephen Kinsella said the supporters all recognise the need to “take a leap towards our net zero carbon future, delivering energy efficient homes in well-designed and sustainable communities requires vision, collective leadership and innovation.”