Back     Latest news from Green Building Press    Subscribe to our newsletter

25 Million Makeovers Would Reach Global Warming Targets

Posted: 23/03/2005

A massive cut in carbon dioxide pollution from British homes can meet Government emissions targets if the necessary polices are applied now, says a comprehensive research report by Oxford University’s Environmental Change Institute and the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research. The 40% House report sets-out a far-reaching policy agenda that prescribes cuts in energy and carbon dioxide pollution from existing and future housing.

The report details the actions to be taken by the Government, the European Commission, manufacturers and householders if carbon dioxide emissions from the nation’s housing stock are going to be only 40% of today’s level, in line with Government targets.

The Government’s Energy White Paper of 2003 seeks to cut 60% of the nation’s carbon dioxide emissions by 2050. Houses are responsible for a third of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions - the main pollutant from burning fossil fuels that is influencing man-made global warming.

“This is our contribution to setting the agenda for action“said Dr Brenda Boardman MBE who led the research. There are numerous opportunities to reduce energy demand in the home and we have brought them together into one possible future for 2050. It will be possible to have both a higher standard of living and to reduce the threat of climate change”.

The researchers urge policymakers to act now to implement powerful regulations to save energy in existing homes, enforce better building regulations for new homes, and market transformation to ensure household appliances, heating and lighting are energy saving and energy efficient.

Poor-quality housing stock needs to be demolished and replaced, and building regulations made much more rigorous. 14% of the current worst stock needs to be removed, with demolition increased to four times the current rate at 80,000 houses per annum over the next 10 years. 220,000 new homes need to be built per year.

The researchers of 40% House have devised scenarios to help show policymakers what is necessary and appropriate to reach the Government’s challenging 60% target. The scenarios show that by implementing appropriate policies from now to 2050:

 Each person will be warmer, use more hot water and more appliances in the home
 The amount of electricity used now for domestic lights and appliances will be halved
 88% of current houses will still be standing, but will be using a third less energy for heating, lighting and power
 10 million new homes will have been built
 19 million new homes will be using electricity generated in the home or locally, some homes are selling electricity back to the grid
 30% of homes have solar-electric panels on the roofs, and 60% heat their water with solar power
 There will be 32 million homes in total, a 27% increase on current levels

“It can be done. Rethinking housing and energy is urgent, and it is an exciting and creative challenge which offers significant economic opportunities” says co-researcher Professor Marcus Newborough from Herriot Watt University.

Dr Boardman continued “We recognise that public support is needed for radical policies and society has to be more community minded and environmentally aware. Changing social priorities is an important Government action as part of meeting its carbon reduction target.

Green Building Press  
 

Back     Latest news from Green Building Press    Subscribe to our newsletter

595