This means that by 2016, all new houses built in Birmingham will produce zero carbon emissions.

Birmingham council will now work alongside developers and construction firms to introduce environmentally-friendly heating, and power and building techniques as part of the Government-led initiative.

Counciller John Lines, cabinet member for housing, said: 

"This makes sense for the planet but it also makes sense to every family that the energy running costs for each new house is reduced significantly."

The Government campaign involves an ambitious timetable for the tightening of building regulations, with an aim to produce zero carbon new homes by 2016.

It will be supported by the Code for Sustainable Homes, the Planning Policy Statement on Climate Change and stamp duty relief for zero carbon homes.