Carbon emissions reduction has stalled, says think tank

Weak performance on low carbon heat

Efforts to tackle carbon emissions from buildings have stalled, according to an energy thinktank.

The accusation follows the publication of a report from the government’s climate change advisers showing that insulation rates have plunged by 90 per cent since 2012.

Responding to the annual progress report by the Committee on Climate Change, published yesterday, E3G highlighted figures showing that the rate of insulation in homes has fallen by nine-tenths since 2012, and that just 4 per cent of heat used in UK buildings is generated from low carbon sources.

The CCC report also shows that carbon emissions from buildings have risen for the second year to 89 MtCO2e, which equated to a 2 per cent increase once annual variations in winter temperatures have been adjusted for.

The committee also says that if current policies are continued, the gap between emissions from buildings under existing policies and the levels needed to meet the government’s fifth carbon budget target would rise to 19 MtCO2.

This figure represents around a fifth of the overall gap in emissions savings resulting from inadequate climate change policies.

E3G said that maximising opportunities to save energy and reduce emissions could save households and small business hundreds of pounds on top of the £490 per annum saved on average household bills as a result of energy efficiency measures introduced since 2004.

Pedro Guertler, senior policy advisor at E3G, said: “The shocking revelation from this report is that insulation levels have crashed by 90per cent since 2012. Rather than focus on the UK’s future – the government’s 2030 carbon reduction plan is already a year overdue – the government has in recent months solely tinkered with sticking plaster solutions to reducing energy costs while investors and consumers are left in the lurch.

“Since improved energy and carbon efficiency is the most cost effective way to decarbonise buildings and reduce energy bills the government has been shooting itself in the foot.

He said that the government’s upcoming review of energy costs should support a major new heat and energy efficiency infrastructure programme.

Guertler said: “This can save households and businesses serious money and boost UK growth whilst playing a critical role in getting us back on track with our carbon targets.”

In its report, the CCC said that the government “urgently needed” to publish its emission reduction plan in order to show how it was planning to deliver the carbon emissions reductions outlined in its fifth carbon budget.