Budget sees hope for eco-friendly property

There was a green theme to elements of chancellor Alistair Darling's Budget, presented earlier today.

Key to the ambitions announced was the launch of an ambitious household emissions reduction programme next month.

Through the scheme energy companies will be obliged - through the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) - to give their customers superior deals for energy efficiency measures – with the aim of cutting bills.

Cavity wall insulation and loft insulation will also be made available to nearly three million homes, along with more energy efficient appliances and light bulbs.

Mr Darling also offered £26 million to the Green Home Service (GHS), with the further aim of cutting bills for homeowners through a reduction in consumption.

There were also ambitious plans to extended use of smart metres in domestic properties to offer incentives to reduce carbon consumption.

In addition, the chancellor also unveiled a target to make all non-domestic and commercial property zero carbon by 2019 – in addition to earlier pledges to ensure all new-build homes were carbon neutral by 2016.

Finally, there were also proposals to discuss raising the UK's general environmental commitment further.

"We have asked the Climate Change Committee (CCC) to advise us – whether as part of an international agreement – we should raise our target to 80 per cent," explained Mr Darling.

It is hoped the measure can save 75 million tonnes of carbon dioxide over the next 30 years.