Actis have welcomed a report published stating that the government urgently needs to improve thermally inadequate homes to help it achieve its 2050 energy efficiency targets. Actis recommend one practical way to do this is by retrofitting loft insulation.
The Committee on Climate Change’s (CCC) statutory 2017 Report to Parliament outlines a number of measures that need to be tackled to enable it to comply with the Climate Change Act – which legally requires a reduction in emissions of 57 per cent by 2032 compared to 1990 levels, and of at least 80 per cent by 2050.
The report states: “Existing and new buildings need to be affordable to run and be healthy to live in as the climate warms, while emissions from buildings need to fall significantly. This requires a clear strategy for energy efficiency that addresses risks from overheating and accelerates the delivery of energy efficiency measures.
“In passing the Climate Change Act, with its clearly articulated timetable for new policy and new actions, parliament deliberately chose to ensure action to tackle climate change was not a hostage to “events”. The “events” of the past year have been, by almost any measure, exceptional. However, it is now time for government, and for parliament, to act. Climate change is happening, not waiting. It is neither justifiable nor wise to delay further.”
Since 2012, emissions reductions have been largely confined to the power sector, while emissions from transport and the UK’s building stock are rising.
Mark Cooper, national sales director at Actis said: “The UK has amongst the worst housing stock in the whole of Europe when it comes to energy efficiency – and it’s responsible for a third of our carbon emissions.
“The collapse of the Green Deal and the removal of the zero carbon standard have not helped. Neither has the perception that retrofitting is disruptive. It can be, but it doesn’t have to be that bad - depending on the construction of the house and the type of insulation materials used.”
