Summary
The Government plans that the three million more
households to be added to the housing stock over the next 12 years will be as
carbon-neutral as modern building methods, technologies, and regulation can
make them. However, given the UK's challenging target of reducing carbon
emissions by 60% by 2050, Government must pay as much attention to reducing the
carbon footprint of the existing housing stock as it does to new homes.
This Report, 'Existing Housing and Climate Change' (HC 432-I), examines the
challenge faced by the Government in attempting to reduce the carbon footprint
of the UK's existing housing stock.
The UK contains more than 26
million homes, which collectively emitted 41.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide
in 2004, representing more than a quarter of the UK's emission of the main
greenhouse gas driving climate change. Domestic energy efficiency measures
taken since 1970 have halved what UK domestic energy demand would otherwise be
but the amount of energy used now needs to decline sharply if the target is to
be achieved.
There are many existing means to achieve rapid reductions in
carbon emissions, including:
- Cavity-wall insulation;
- Loft
insulation;
- Double-glazing;
- Condensing boilers; and
- More efficient lighting.
One problem is that of engaging with a
greater proportion of the population and convincing them of the need for
action. The proposed Green Homes Service due in late 2008 should provide a
one-stop source of information for householders to overcome this 'information
barrier' to quick, simple and cost-effective action in many homes.
The
Committee believes that substantial and rapid change is possible if millions of
individuals and families can be encouraged to rise to the challenge.
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