<p><br /> Homes should be "retrofit" with measures to make them more energy and water efficient.<br /> </p><p><br /> The Environmental Audit Committee also want to make houses more resilient to flooding.<br /> </p><p><br /> "Retrofit" is the process of improving existing buildings in order to make them more energy efficient.<br /> </p><p><br /> The committee also suggested that planning permission should only be given to new housing developments if they are designed to suit future changes in the climate.<br /> </p><p><br /> Maintaining current levels of flood protection will require spending on defences to increase from around £600 million a year to £1 billion a year by 2035.<br /> </p><p><br /> Tim Yeo, chairman of the Environmental Audit Committee, said: "We must act now to protect people, property and prosperity and safeguard the natural environment. Delay will only impose greater costs on future generations."<br /> </p>
