UK to cut its household energy bills

Energy wasting, inefficient houses could be easily transformed into cheaper to run, low carbon homes by the end of the next decade, according to a recently issued WWF-UK report.

And with homes accounting for 22% of UK ecological footprint and about 30% of its carbon emissions, such action could make a significant difference to achieving UK goals on emissions
reductions.

But the UK is set to miss out on its biggest opportunity to cut household energy bills and reduce its CO2 emissions and what is needed is a radical shift in government policy, said How Low:
Achieving optimal carbon savings from the UK’s existing housing stock.

«Our homes offer easy wins in terms of achieving the deep cuts we need in carbon emissions but the UK government could be missing this opportunity by failing to invest in the
technologies, policies, and support mechanisms that will guarantee most impact», said Simon McWirther, One Planet Future Campaign Manager at WWF-UK.

WWF is calling upon the government to introduce a wide range of financial incentives that motivate homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Some of these schemes have already
been successfully introduced elsewhere in Europe, in Germany for example.

«Given the urgency of the issue the government needs to focus on a broader package of measures that will provide greater long term savings for homeowners», said Colin Butfield,
WWF-UK’s Head of Campaigns.

Nationwide installation of low and zero carbon technologies will require a significant programme of training, investment, and policy support by the government. But it will pay back in terms of
increased efficiency of the housing stock, and a greater skilled workforce.

The government should also ensure that a minimum standard is set and progressively tightened to transform the housing sector by preventing the resale of the most energy-inefficient homes.

Other steps involved in achieving such a goal include an improvement in the energy efficiency of appliances, more carbon-conscious behaviour in the home, decarbonisation of electricity supply
by roll-out of large-scale renewable energy projects and, potentially, application of carbon capture and storage technology.

«It is feasible for the UK to meet CO2 emission reduction targets of 80% in the domestic housing sector by 2050, a necessary goal to avoid the worst ravages of climate change,» said
WWF