Jakarta will require all new buildings to meet energy and water efficiency standards from 2025, and existing buildings must comply by 2030. The regulation, announced by the city government and reported by C40 Cities, covers commercial and residential structures. It is one of the most ambitious building codes in the global south, and it puts the UK’s patchwork of voluntary schemes in an uncomfortable light.
As C40 Cities reports, Jakarta’s new rules mandate specific energy performance benchmarks and water-use limits, with penalties for non-compliance. The city estimates the regulations will cut building-sector emissions by 30% by 2030. For UK homeowners, the lesson is not about tropical climates, it is about what happens when a government decides that voluntary uptake is not enough.
What the UK does instead, and why it is slower
The UK’s building regulations (Part L, updated in 2022) set standards for new homes. But for the 28 million existing homes, the government relies on schemes like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (£7,500 grant for heat pumps) and ECO+ (targeting low-income households). Neither mandates a retrofit deadline. Ofgem data shows that as of June 2024, only 1.2 million heat pumps had been installed under the scheme, far short of the 600,000 annual target by 2028. Meanwhile, the average EPC rating for UK homes remains D, according to the English Housing Survey. Jakarta’s approach, a hard deadline for existing buildings, would be politically toxic in the UK. But it would also be effective.
What it costs a typical 3-bed semi to wait
Delaying efficiency upgrades has a direct price tag. Ofgem’s October 2024 price cap rise adds roughly £63 to the average household’s annual bill, following a £94 rise in July. A typical 3-bed semi using 12,000 kWh of gas and 3,000 kWh of electricity per year pays around £1,800 annually under the current cap. Without insulation or a heat pump, that figure will climb. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that cavity wall insulation alone can save £300 a year on heating. Loft insulation: up to £250. Yet fewer than half of UK homes have cavity wall insulation, according to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The gap between what is possible and what is installed is a policy failure.
Who qualifies, and who doesn’t
Jakarta’s rules apply to all buildings over a certain size, with exemptions for heritage structures. The UK’s equivalent, the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), applies only to rented properties, requiring an EPC rating of E or higher. Owner-occupied homes, which make up 65% of the housing stock, face no such requirement. The result: the people who most need to upgrade (those in older, draughty homes) have the least incentive to act unless they are selling or renting. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is income-agnostic, but uptake remains low, partly because homeowners must first find an installer, arrange a survey, and pay upfront. The application process takes four to six weeks. For many, the hassle outweighs the grant.
But the catch is that waiting costs more. The longer a home remains uninsulated, the more carbon it emits and the more the household pays in wasted heat. Jakarta’s regulation sets a deadline. The UK’s approach sets a target. One of these is a policy. The other is a wish.
What UK homeowners can do now
The government is not about to mandate retrofits for owner-occupied homes, not yet. But the direction of travel is clear: EPC thresholds are likely to rise, and mortgage lenders are already offering green deals for higher-rated properties. Homeowners can act before they are forced to. Check your EPC rating on gov.uk. If it is below C, a free Green Homes Grant assessment (via local authority schemes in some areas) can identify the cheapest first step, usually loft insulation or draught-proofing. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme remains open until 2028, and heat pump installations are eligible for 0% VAT until 2027. For water efficiency, simple fixes like aerating taps and fixing leaks can cut bills by £50 a year, according to Waterwise. Jakarta’s regulation shows the cost of inaction compounds. The UK’s voluntary system gives you time. Do not waste it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not imminently. The government’s 2023 Net Zero Review ruled out compulsory upgrades for owner-occupied homes, citing cost and political feasibility. But EPC thresholds for rentals are tightening, and mortgage lenders are beginning to price in efficiency. A future government could revisit the idea, especially if energy bills remain high.
Indirectly, they highlight that water efficiency is often overlooked in UK retrofit policy. The UK’s Building Regulations Part G covers water use for new homes (125 litres per person per day target), but existing homes have no requirement. Retrofitting rainwater harvesting or low-flow fixtures can reduce water bills by 10-15%, though payback periods vary.
