Roadmap must set Government on the right track to low carbon
existing homes

The Government has today been offered new guidance on the direction its future policy should take if it is to effectively tackle CO2 emissions from our existing housing stock. A report published today by the UK Green Building Council demonstrates the need for major Government policy intervention to upgrade the majority of the UK housing stock. WWF-UK now calls on the new Housing Minister, Margaret Beckett, to take the lead in implementing the long-term measures that will put us on track to reduce emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.

Simon McWhirter, Homes Campaign Manager at WWF-UK says: “The recommendations published today by the UK Green Building Council once again reinforce that a long-term strategy is needed to address the failings of our existing housing stock. We need to look beyond loft and cavity wall insulation if we are to achieve results, and as recognised in this report, government intervention is essential to improve market demand for home energy efficiency improvements.

“This report provides a good indication of some of the solutions that are eminently achievable but we need a commitment by the Government to drive these ideas forward. The Climate Change Committee has recognised that an 80 per cent cut in emissions is needed by 2050 and the role our homes can play in achieving it. Now the Government has an opportunity to ensure we reach that target. WWF-UK hopes that new Housing Minister Margaret Beckett will step up to the challenge with a Low Carbon Homes strategy that sets out clear delivery on these recommendations.”