Thousands of old homes should be “retro-fitted” with energy-saving improvements to create jobs as part of the economic recovery from coronavirus, housing bodies have urged. Better insulation and the latest energy-efficient technology could cut bills and help tackle climate change. The Federation of Master Builders wants Wales to push ahead with a programme. The Welsh Government said housing had an important role in the “green recovery” after Covid-19.

BBC 21st July 2020 read more »

Up to eight years’ worth of global greenhouse gas emissions could be prevented over the next four decades by setting tougher standards for air conditioning, according to a study. It found that improving the energy efficiency of cooling systems by using climate-friendly refrigerants could remove emissions equivalent to between 210bn and 460bn tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2060. The peer-reviewed analysis by the United Nations Environment Programme (Unep) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) found that cutting the use of climate-warming refrigerants such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) alone could help avoid up to 0.4C of global warming by the end of the century. Doubling the energy efficiency of air conditioning by 2050 would cut electricity use by 1,300 gigawatts, the equivalent of all the coal-fired power generation capacity in China and India in 2018, saving up to $2.9tn in electricity costs.

Guardian 17th July 2020 read more »

A group of businesses, mayors and political leaders have called on the Conservative government to spend £5bn to deliver on its promised manifesto pledges in order to unlock £100bn in capital investment on energy efficiency and create more than 300,000 green jobs. Convened through the UK100 – a network of over 100 mayors and local leaders from across the country – studies supported by EDF and Siemens have found that unlocking private sector investment could deliver a net return of £100bn to help build a green economic recovery. The £100bn benefit would include £40bn for energy efficiency improvements and technologies, which would exceed the £9.2bn target promised in the Conservative manifesto. However, the research report, sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), states that an initial development funding amount of £5bn is required from Government to kickstart the green recovery. The UK100 will present the findings directly to energy minister Kwasi Kwarteng today (13 July). The study additionally states that the package could help create 300,000 jobs across the country.

Edie 14th July 2020 read more »

Business Green 13th July 2020 read more »

Visitors to Greenwich can now catch a glimpse into the future of social housing, with the unveiling this week of four zero-carbon council homes in the South London borough. The homes are fitted with individual air source heat pumps and solar panels and have been designed to exceed net-zero carbon standards, meaning they are capable of delivering energy back to the grid. Moreover, the homes boast have an EPC rating well above the highest category of A. Currently, just one per cent of UK new builds are A rated, while the average rating is D.

Business Green 14th July 2020 read more »

It sounds too good to be true: free money to make your home cosy and cut your fuel bills. But this is exactly what is planned for England’s homeowners from September. That’s when the government aims for a triple whammy – creating thousands of jobs in home insulation while reducing carbon emissions from boilers and shaving energy bills. Campaigners call this £2bn scheme a “no brainer” policy. So what will it mean for you?

BBC 10th July 2020 read more »

Councils are failing to enforce energy efficiency regulations designed to protect renters living in the most cold and draughty homes. Fewer than six per cent of borough and district councils across England and Wales have taken any enforcement action against landlords illegally letting out properties with the lowest energy efficiency ratings, data obtained by i reveals. One landlord told the paper: “Are people from the council coming out and asking to look at your Energy Performance Certificate? The answer is no. It’s not being policed. Without a doubt.”

iNews 10th July 2020 read more »

The Liberal Democrats have launched a Bill that would enshrine Government energy efficiency targets into law, but the legislation has stalled as it waits for Parliamentary time to allotted. The Domestic Premises (Energy Performance Bill) would require the Government to ensure all fuel-poor households are brought up to an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C by 2030, unless the cost to the owner is excessive. All other households would have to meet EPC C by 2035. Those targets were first set out by the previous Conservative government in the 2017 Clean Growth Strategy, a document that at the time was billed as the Government’s flagship decarbonisation strategy for the next 15 years.

iNews 10th July 2020 read more »

How best to spend your ‘green home’ vouchers. From upgraded insulation to draught-proof windows, here’s how to make the most of Rishi Sunak’s scheme and give your home an ‘eco-over’.

Telegraph 9th July 2020 read more »