Archived press release

New home information packs incentivise tackling climate change

14 June 2006

New energy efficiency certificates for homes, to be included in the homebuyer information packs, will provide a welcome, if long-overdue incentive for tackling the UK's rising climate emissions, Friends of the Earth said today (Wednesday 14 June) [1].

The new certificates will provide a clear indication to buyers on the energy efficiency of a property - with ratings much like the energy efficiency labels provided on electrical goods. They will also show how home owners can improve the energy efficiency of their new home by improving their insulation, for example by installing double glazing, fitting loft or cavity wall insulation or investing in a condensing boiler. As many people plan to make improvements to houses just after purchase, this is a good time to provide such information.

But Friends of the Earth added that the Government must also introduce other steps to take action on tackling emissions from other sectors - and not just rely on individuals to reduce their personal energy use. They called for the Government to introduce mandatory targets for 3% cuts in carbon emissions every year - and for these plans to be included in a much expanded climate change programme to meet those targets.

"Energy efficiency certificates will provide really useful information for house buyers and should provide a long-term incentive to taking action to save energy in the home. Poor insulation can mean families are spending hundreds of pounds heating the atmosphere - and contributing to climate change.

"It is good that the Government has finally grasped the nettle on this issue but they must now go further and introduce a mandatory code to make new homes low carbon. We need to reduce our emissions across all sectors, as we are calling for with The Big Ask campaign, if we are to make real progress on tackling climate change."

Emissions from residential properties account for around 30 per cent of UK emissions of climate change gases but this could be drastically reduced through a combination of energy efficiency measures and reliance on greener energy supplies.

Building to high energy efficiency standards could make new build properties zero carbon (ie with no carbon emissions from their operations). Friends of the Earth wants to see a new mandatory code introduced for the building trade to ensure all new homes are carbon zero.

According to experts, loft insulation can cut your emissions by roughly a tonne of carbon dioxide while saving up to £200 off your heating bill.

Friends of the Earth wants to see similar steps to cut emissions implemented by other government departments and is calling for a new law to commit the Government to cuts of three per cent year-on-year (See www.TheBigAsk.com) [2].

Notes

[1] Friends of the Earth helped to draft and promote the Energy Efficiency Bill in 1997 which would have required all mortgage surveys to include an energy report similar to that proposed for the Home Information Pack. The Bill was supported by Ministers, but ran out of time in Parliament. Friends of the Earth repeatedly called for the Government to provide additional time for the Bill, or to include the provisions of the Bill in another Government Bill. However Ministers refused - and more than 1 million mortgages have been granted every year since, with those homebuyers not receiving such information. .

[2] www.TheBigAsk.com

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust