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Government 'must lead on retrofitting'
11/01/10
Edited by Tom Bardsley. The government must provide a "hard commitment" to supporting the retrofitting of existing housing if the UK is to achieve widespread improvements in energy efficiency and reductions in carbon emissions, an expert has claimed.
Green Alliance deputy director Thomas Lingard said existing homes will account for around 75 per cent of the property in use in 2050, making retrofitting a "really important" element of successfully tacking CO2 output.
He added it is "very encouraging" to see established builders and contractors coming into the retrofitting market, as having trusted names in the sector will reassure property owners about carrying out green home improvements.
Nevertheless, Mr. Lingard said only a "hard commitment" from the government to bring in policies that will make retrofitting "more attractive and desirable" to the public will deliver the widespread take-up needed.
According to the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan, around 15 per cent of the annual cuts in emissions to be achieved by 2020 will be realised by improving the energy efficiency of residential property and introducing small-scale renewable energy.
