The government must allow people to make their homes more energy efficient, otherwise the UK will miss its target of cutting net emissions to zero, Boris Johnson has warned.
Consumer groups and trade bodies have urged the government to remove barriers that make it “difficult, time consuming and stressful” to install measures such as renewable heat pumps and insulation.
A coalition including Citizen’s Councils, Which one? and the Federation of Builders said failure to act could mean millions of homes will not go carbon-free, jeopardizing the UK’s climate commitments. The warning comes as the UK prepares to host the Cop26 climate change conference in November.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, the group said that finding and choosing the right technology, finding a reputable installer and completing the job required “enormous amounts” of knowledge, time and time. of effort.
When people are successful in finding an installer, the process of getting the job done is often hampered by issues including poor installation, technologies not working as expected, and people having difficulty fixing issues.
Making homes greener is seen as a crucial part of UK efforts to tackle the climate crisis. Houses consume 35% of all energy in the UK and create 20% of total carbon dioxide emissions, official figures show.
The government has faced strong criticism from consumer and environmental groups for previous botched energy efficiency programs, which have left some people struggling with damp and mold due to improperly installed insulation . Others suffered damage to their homes, leaving them with long-term problems.
The letter calls for better information to be made available on the technologies available and the benefits they bring. He also urges the government to introduce better consumer protection for people who install renewable energy systems.
Today, when installers go bankrupt, people often struggle to troubleshoot issues and end up with unnecessary or difficult to enforce warranties.
Dame Clare Moriarty, CEO of Citizens Advice, said: “Our evidence is clear. Right now, making green changes to homes is too confusing and too often things go wrong for those trying to do the right thing. The public is behind the net zero transition, but they need the right information and the right tools, especially when it comes to adapting their housing.
“By acting now, government can give people the confidence to make change and play their part in achieving net zero. “
Rocio Concha, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Which ?, said: “Decarbonizing millions of homes across the UK is a vital but complex component of the government’s net zero strategy, and its success will depend on ‘assurance that consumers are supported in the transition to low-carbon heating systems, which will lead to radical changes in their homes.
“The level of support consumers need should not be underestimated, and we urge the government to ensure that its net zero consumption policy includes provisions to help consumers navigate the heating market, through access to the right information, strong consumer protections and, where necessary, financial assistance. “
The independent asked the government to respond to criticism.
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Source: www.independent.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-08-25 00:55:32
