Action on homes to lead way for UK’s 80% emissions cuts

The scientific committee set up to advise the Government on climate change has recognised the massive part to be played by our existing homes in tackling the UK’s CO2 emissions. WWF-UK now looks forward to the Government acting decisively on the Committee’s advice and introducing a long-term strategy for reducing emissions from our housing stock.

The Climate Change Committee has recommended to the Government that the UK reduce its carbon emissions by at least 80 per cent by 2050, and believes this target can be achieved through a range of options, including home energy efficiency improvements and increased use of low and zero carbon technologies such as ground source heat pumps and biomass boilers.

This backs up WWF research which asserts that channelling support and resources into low and zero carbon technology and facilitating their roll-out nationwide will not only enable the UK to surpass its 2020 emission reduction targets but will further set us on track to reduce CO2 emissions by the necessary 80 per cent by 2050.

Simon McWhirter, WWF-UK Homes Campaign Manager said: “The recommendations of the Climate Change Committee are clear – we must reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases by at least 80 per cent in order for the UK to play its part in avoiding dangerous climate change. We are delighted that the Committee accepts that one of the solutions to this is tackling emissions from our homes. WWF now looks forward to the Government acting decisively on the Committee’s advice and setting out a clear roadmap to achieving binding cuts in emissions from the housing sector.”

WWF is also calling on the Government to follow the advice of the Climate Change Committee by tabling amendments to the Climate Change Bill when it comes before Parliament later this month.  In addition to raising the emissions reduction targets to at least 80% by 2050, amendments are needed to create an equally ambitious target to cut greenhouse gases by 40% by 2020 and to ensure that the legislation covers the UK share of emissions from international aviation and shipping.