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Existing Homes Alliance backs 42 per cent target for UK

2/2/2010

Overall target means 7 million homes would need to deliver a 60 per cent improvement.

The Existing Homes Alliance says the UK should target a 42 per cent carbon reduction for housing by 2020. In its Low Carbon Transition Plan the government has said 7 million homes will benefit from whole-house retrofit packages by that date, which means these homes will need to reach an average of at least 60 per cent improvement to deliver the 42 per cent overall.

The Environmental Audit Committee published a report last month stating that the UK should adopt a 42 per cent carbon reduction target by 2020 across the board. The Scottish parliament has already adopted the target.

The alliance sets out its objectives in its 2010 manifesto, published this week. Alliance members include Association for the Conservation of Energy, affordable housing provider Places for People, PRP Architects and WWF.

In the manifesto the alliance also calls for:

• a whole house retrofit package to be applied to all homes by 2030
• the design and content of energy performance certificates (EPCs) to be improved, and EPCs to be given greater prominence
• a range of financing mechanisms for homeowners, including green mortgages, loans and Pay As You Save type schemes.

Alliance co-founder John Doggart writes about home retrofit for Building4change this week. In his comment, he highlights the broader advantages, saying: "German experience in this area has shown that a euro spent by government can stimulate up to 6 euros of energy improvements. It would pay for the UK government to help homeowners to improve their houses by running campaigns like Old Home Superhome, and by providing low cost financing." To go to Doggart's comment, click here.