The call for corporate tax breaks and council tax discounts for green homes was one of several findings from an in depth survey of more than 100 construction products businesses.

Nearly all of them questioned in the joint Construction Products Association/PwC survey recognised that sustainability is instrumental to the future of the industry.

Nine out of 10 firms said they were aware of the importance of using green building techniques, but only 40% had done any carbon footprinting.

A third considered sustainability as important to their business as supply chain security, energy costs, regulation and skills.

Global Construction Products Leader at PwC, Chris Temple, said: “The industry has been very clear in asking for more clarity and vision from Government in the report but is also very keen to do its part in creating sustainable products.

“Council tax is based on property value but what if it was based on energy efficiency with less efficient properties attracting higher taxes.

“These are just some of the questions the survey has sparked and this could be the beginning of a very interesting debate,” said Temple .

Over two thirds surveyed felt there was insufficient knowledge available on sustainable products and felt this was a barrier to progress along with costs and lack of information on regulation.

John Tebbit, industry affairs director at the CPA, added: “There is a real opportunity here for both Government and industry to work closer together to deliver the recommendations laid out in the report.

“Many companies are already manufacturing to a high environmental standard however there is much more that could be done to increase this.

“We now seek clear and consistent targets for sustainability, which industry can work towards and together, we will help businesses achieve them.”