" The Carbon Challenge, which will be run by English Partnerships, calls on developers to raise standards of design, construction, energy and water use and waste disposal so that these techniques can be used in the future as a benchmark for mainstream development. It also seeks to meet rising expectations from the public for more sustainable communities which offer them reduced bills and a higher quality of housing design."

" The Challenge will spearhead the move towards zero-carbon development - as announced in December in a radical package of new measures for greener housebuilding, including the Code for Sustainable Homes and the first ever planning policy on climate change - and builds on the Chancellor's announcement in the Pre-Budget Report that in future most new zero carbon homes will be exempt from stamp duty."

" Ruth Kelly said: "We must cut carbon emissions to tackle climate change - and housing has a major role to play. Building the new homes we need across the country is a prime opportunity to harness new technology and drive up environmental standards."

" "We need to design communities, not just houses. While there are lots of carbon saving measures which can be used in individual homes, designing a whole community gives developers scope to make use of schemes like district heating and combined heat and power plants."

" "I encourage British and overseas builders to come up with bold and innovative ways to kickstart the drive towards zero carbon in ten years.""

" The first two English Partnerships sites are named as Hanham Hall near Bristol and Glebe Road in Peterborough. Three further public and private sector sites are expected to be added to the Challenge within twelve months. The Challenge will be open to developers and construction firms from across
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