More people are set to live in a green home over the coming years, the government has said.

Promoting the construction of green homes in the UK will have a positive impact on the country's carbon emissions, as well as boosting employment, according to a study carried out by the Prince's Foundation.

It said that by using simple, locally-sourced materials in home building projects, jobs in the area will be supported and greenhouse gas output can be cut.

Responding to the findings, a spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said that the government is already committed to promoting more green home construction programmes.

New houses built today are 40 per cent more energy efficient than those constructed eight years ago, he said.

"Buildings account for almost half of the UK's carbon emissions and it is clear we have to reduce these as part of our action on climate change," the source added.