The United Nations Climate Change Conference starting in Paris this November could mark a renewed focus on energy efficiency in the United Kingdom, a renewable energy consultancy, training and accreditation provider says.

Elmhurst Energy Services says it believes that, following dramatic cuts to ECO, the Green Deal and the Feed-in Tariff, the government may be forced to make up for lost ground if a binding agreement can be reached at the event.

The Conference, which will run from 30 November to 11 December, 2015, will see representatives from 196 countries in attendance. Its objective is to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit the global temperature increase to 2°c above pre-industrial levels.

“The 1997 Kyoto Protocol, in which governments around the world committed to reduce green house gas emissions, was a key driver towards the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive, and became famous as the catalyst towards the growth in energy efficiency legislation, energy performance and its assessment,” said Martyn Reed, operations director for Elmhurst Energy.

“The UK Government has published its hopes and aspirations for the Conference, but we are looking for some firm commitments after the harsh cuts to the Green Deal, the Feed-in Tariff and the dilution of ECO funding. With President Obama’s Clean Power Plan and commitment to fighting climate change, the UK government may be forced to play catch up again.”

The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) responded to Obama's plan, saying: “The US' Clean Power Plan will add more momentum ahead of agreeing a new global, ambitious, and legally binding climate deal in Paris in December.”

Elmhurst Energy says it will continue to engage with the DECC and the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) following recent changes in UK energy efficiency policy in an effort to make the UK leaders in energy efficiency.