How Low? Key Findings
How Low? suggests we need a significant shift in Government policy in the UK if we are to achieve reduction targets in residential carbon emissions.
This extensive modelling of the low carbon potential of the UK's entire housing stock shows that solid wall insulation and low and zero carbon technologies such as ground source heat pumps and solar water heating are key to greening our homes and getting the UK on track to meet its emission reduction targets for 2020. The report concludes that with the right package of financial and support policies, cuts of 36% in residential emissions could be achieved by 2020, and by 2050 the necessary 80% cuts are possible to avoid the worst ravages of climate change. However it is imperative to act now.
Nationwide installation of low and zero carbon technologies will require a significant programme of training, investment, and policy support by the Government, both in terms of increased efficiency of the housing stock, and a greater skilled workforce. In tandem with these support policies, it is vital that homeowners are provided financial support to help them afford the installation of technologies such as solar heating and ground source heat pumps.
How Low? recommendations
The report concluded that it is necessary for government to go beyond the short payback energy efficiency measures that feature in current policies to ensure the deployment of sufficient numbers of the necessary technologies. To put this into effect, government must act now to ensure the appropriate mechanisms are in place. These should include:
Financial Incentives
It is vital that the government employs a suite of monetary tools to encourage the development of more energy efficient homes (and sustainable homes more widely). These should include, but not be limited to:
- a stamp duty rebate on energy efficiency improvements made within a year of moving into a property
- a national Council Tax rebate scheme and
- cutting VAT on the refurbishment of existing properties
Low Interest Loan Scheme
WWF-UK urges the UK government to explore innovative financing mechanisms that support refurbishment of existing buildings, similar to the German Government's supported retrofit programme which has been extremely successful.
Minimum Standards at point of sale, 2010 to 2016
WWF-UK believes the government should ensure that a minimum standard of energy efficiency is set and progressively tightened to transform the housing sector, by preventing the resale (or letting) of the most energy-inefficient houses. For example, with appropriate exemptions, by 2016 no property with an Energy Performance Certificate rating of E could be resold, a target that can be achieved with the most cost-effective measures for the majority of properties.
Reform the Energy Market
Government should introduce feed-in tariffs as a method of encouraging the installation of electricity from micro-generation, as has been extremely successful in countries such as Germany and Spain. They ensure that the house-holder can get a fixed and substantial price for electricity they generate and feed in to the National Grid.
Evaluate Personal Carbon Trading or Carbon Taxes
Our personal understanding of how we use energy and the impacts it has needs to evolve if we are to make the necessary cuts by 2020 and 2050. The government must open the debate to include a wide range of potential policy measures, including personal carbon trading and carbon taxes.