Michael Brown CIOB deputy chief executive said: "The Government has stated that the construction, occupation and maintenance of buildings account for around 50 per cent of the UK's total CO2 emissions, so it would seem sensible that the industry is well represented on any such committee on Climate Change.
 
"The CO2 target of a 60% reduction by 2050 and 26-32% by 2020 is welcome, but what we need greater clarity on how we are measuring this performance. Targets are the obvious way to reach the solution, but as an industry we need something to aim for and we need to know how these targets breakdown and can be achieved.
 
"There are also still questions that remain about the powers of the Committee. The CIOB supports the establishment of an independent body, as suggested in the Bill. But we do not believe that the proposals indicated go far enough. For true integrity, the Committee should be able to regulate the performance of government without political interference."
 
The Government's draft Climate Change Bill is currently undergoing pre-legislative consultation. The Bill will give statutory force to the Governments targets for cutting emissions by 60 per cent by 2050. In addition the Bill will introduce five-year carbon budgets.