Zero carbon housing plans have been proposed by Irish environment minister John Gormley this week.Mr Gormley unveiled plans to ensure that all new houses built in Ireland would have no carbon output by 2013, according to the Irish Independent.The minister claimed that he plans to change building regulations so that by 2010 houses' energy efficiency is increased to 60 per cent from the current 40 per cent.He said: "This will be rolled out as early as practicable. We're looking at 2010 for the 60 per cent reduction, I would hope by 2012 or 2013 for all domestic buildings."That's my ambition. The targets set are extremely onerous, but we have to step up to the plate. We can create jobs out of this. Those who are in there first will have the most to benefit."A report from Sustainable Energy Ireland recently revealed that Irish houses emit 8.1 tonnes of CO2 every year.