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Government launches green homes strategy
03/03/10
Edited by Andy Jowett. The government has launched a new initiative that aims to support eco-friendly upgrades for around seven million properties and create some 65,000 jobs for builders, plumbers and advisers over the next ten years.
Speaking at the Ecobuild exhibition in Birmingham, energy and climate change secretary Ed Miliband said the Warm Home, Green Homes Strategy will pave the way for "pay-as-you-save" schemes that provide low-cost loans to help residential property owners meet the upfront costs of eco-friendly upgrades.
It will also establish new partnerships between energy suppliers and local authorities and will require utilities companies to help households improve their energy efficiency.
Furthermore, the strategy will introduce tougher standards for workmanship and goods to protect consumers from "cowboy eco-builders" and poor products.
Overall, Mr. Miliband said the plan will help to create 65,000 jobs over the next decade for installers, manufacturers and those providing energy-saving advice.
"The Warm Homes, Greener Homes Strategy will remove the deterrent of upfront costs and reduce the hassle of the move to greener living," he added.
According to the latest figures from the Department for Energy and Climate Change, CO2 emissions from the UK's residential property increased by 3.2 per cent, or 2.5 million tonnes, in 2008.
