Stop Climate Chaos (SCC), a coalition of environmental and development charities, unions, health, faith, community and women’s groups, is working with a wider coalition of 60 supporting organisations including consumer groups, businesses and trade associations such as the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). They are pressing for improvements to the Energy Bill so the energy efficiency programme enacted will deliver greater carbon reductions and reduce the burden of fuel bills. As it currently stands, the Bill is not fit for purpose without amendments, they claim.
SCC has commissioned research from YouGov, whose poll showed that 59% of the public think the government is not doing enough to improve energy efficiency in British homes. Some 65% believe it should be doing more to make it easier and cheaper for the public to improve energy efficiency in their homes.
Campaigners argue that the legislation, currently passing through Parliament, will not go far enough to meet UK carbon emissions targets 34% reduction by 2020, 60% by 2030 and 80% by 2050.
Colin Butfield of WWF-UK said on behalf of SCC said that the poll “sends a clear message to all MPs: your constituents want you to make this a better Energy Bill”. The coalition is lobbying MPs to back the ‘Warm Homes’ amendment. This amendment would commit the government to delivering an overarching strategy for energy savings that will deliver energy efficiency improvements that will meet targets in the Climate Change Act.
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The building industry wants more energy efficiency improvements for houses – the so-called Green Deal - because it means more work for builders.
FMB director general Richard Diment said: “The Energy Bill could have the potential to make significant energy efficiency improvements to our homes and help lower greenhouse gas emissions, but the government must be much clearer about exactly what the Green Deal should achieve if it is to succeed.
“Currently small and medium sized building firms remain unconvinced by the Green Deal. Businesses of all sizes still need to be given the confidence to prepare and invest in developing the capacity and skills required. Without a clear ambition and delivery plan the government risks having no Green Deal in 2012. It would be a huge mistake to miss this opportunity to transform our homes and offices by making them more energy efficient and greener.”
The Energy Bill, to be debated in the House of Commons on May 10, is the government’s first major opportunity to deliver on the targets contained in the Climate Change Act, campaigners say. At stake is the Bill’s potential to hold back domestic fuel bill increases, help reduce carbon emissions in line with the Climate Change Act, and provide tens of thousands of new jobs in the building refurbishment supply chain.
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