2007

Home Truths
1 November 2007

The Government is having to face up to some tough home truths as new research shows massive cuts in household energy use are achievable.

cover of report launch

In the report Home Truths, Dr Boardman of Oxford University sets out how the Government can reduce carbon emissions from UK homes by 80% by 2050.

The changes would also:

  • Cut fuel poverty
  • Create jobs
  • Cut energy bills
  • Increase fuel security.

The report was commissioned by Friends of the Earth and The Co-operative Bank as part of The Big Ask campaign.

Transforming UK homes

Carbon dioxide emissions from housing make up 27% of the UK 's carbon footprint.

Home Truths sets out - for the first time - a blueprint for delivering an 80% cut in carbon emissions from UK homes. The blueprint is based on:

  • High targets
    for local authorities on cutting emissions.
  • Tough energy standards
    for homes and household appliances.
  • Quantum leap in financial support
    to make insulation and micro-renewables affordable.
  • Greater help for householders
    to understand and tackle their carbon footprint.

The report shows how energy use in UK homes could be transformed. Homes could start providing electricity to the National Grid - generating up to 10% more energy than they require - by 2050.

Timid Government

The report is critical of the Government's timid approach and its failure to reduce emissions from the UK's 25.8 million existing homes - almost all of which will still be occupied in 2050.

It concludes that the Government's latest policies are on course to produce only half the emissions savings required.

The Government has plans to build 10 new eco towns. But we need every town to be an eco town.  This report shows how.

Friends of the Earth Campaigner Ed Matthew

The report

Home Truths - executive summary
(PDF† - 319K) Nov 2007
A 3 page summary version of the report.

Home Truths
(PDF† - 2198K) Nov 2007
The full version of the report.

Home Truths press release

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