CIH calls for greener homes

The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has called on the government to develop a long-term and far reaching plan to improve the energy efficiency of the UK's homes.

It is hoped such a plan will tackle spiraling fuel bills, which could see an increasing number of Brits move into fuel poverty.

With British Gas increasing energy prices by 35 per cent earlier this week and large fuel price rises continuing to take a toll, the CIH is calling on the government to take action to reduce the carbon footprint of existing housing stock.

The CIH argues much of the existing stock has a poor energy efficiency rating, with sustained improvement required in order to reduce energy consumption and cut consumers' bills.

"Making our homes more energy efficient and lessening their impact on the environment is not only crucial to help the UK meet its target for reducing carbon emissions by a minimum of 60 per cent by the year 2050, but also to protect some of the most vulnerable households in the country, who are already struggling to pay their energy bills," said Sarah Webb, CIH chief executive.

According to the Environmental Change Institute at Oxford University the country's 26 million domestic properties presently account for 27 per cent of the UK's carbon footprint.

The CIH ideas mirror exactly those put forward by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) who contest present government housing targets – to make all homes carbon-neutral by 2016 – will do nothing to reduce the UK's carbon footprint.

Instead it is vital, argues the FMB in its report Transforming the UK's Existing Housing Stock the existing stock is upgraded.

"Given that existing homes contribute 27 per cent of the UK’s total carbon emissions and that 4.5 million families are living in fuel poverty there is really no time or excuses left to delay action," explained Richard Diment, director-general of the FMB.

Ms Webb added: "We urge government to create a green homes target for our existing housing stock and launch a long-term programme, similar in approach to the successful Decent Homes initiative.

"The prospect of spending more and more money on subsidising fuel bills is not the answer.

"It is not sustainable however you look at it - not only will it eat in to precious public funds, but it will do little to dampen our demand and consumption of energy or cut carbon emissions."

Chris O'Toole