New builds in the UK may be increasingly environmentally-friendly following new legislation from the government, it has been reported.

Buyers of new zero-carbon homes will now qualify for tax relief on stamp duty, according to the Chartered Institute of Builders (CIOB).

In news that may be of interest to first-time buyers, the industry body reports that those purchasing a new zero-carbon home can save up to £15,000.

A spokesperson for the government commented that the new regulations are designed to help "kick-start the market for zero-carbon homes, encourage microgeneration technologies and raise public awareness of living in zero-carbon homes."

Microgeneration includes features such as solar panels and wind turbines, the government states.

Published earlier this year, a Budget impact assessment identified a zero-carbon home as a house that does not consume fossil fuels for power or heat, is highly insulated and makes use of microgeneration to power its needs in a sustainable fashion over a year.