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The phrase ‘zero carbon homes’ has been reverberating around parliament lately to furious nodding of heads from both sides of the House.

Perhaps it’s not surprising amid allegations of sleaze and cover-ups that politicians are groping for the moral high ground. Certainly, candidates for Number 10 from Labour and the Conservatives are clambering over each other to appear the most eco-friendly. David Cameron is sticking a wind turbine on his house and has resurrected John Gummer to chair his environment policy group. And Gordon Brown then upped the ante by announcing that all newly built zero carbon homes would be exempted from stamp duty, from April, for at least three years.