Green housing report published

A report commissioned by the Federation of Master Builders has made 18 recommendations for central and local government, training bodies and builders looking to cut carbon emissions from housing.

The report found that nearly 30% of the UK’s carbon emissions comes from housing, although the government has set targets for all new housing to be carbon neutral by 2016.

“Transforming The UK’s Existing Housing Stock” looked at the problem of inefficient housing stock, and what could be done to improve carbon emissions from existing housing.

Gavin Killip, from the University of Oxford, wrote the report. He said: “To reach the government’s target of a 60% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050, it makes sense to reduce energy demand. The UK has one of the least efficient housing stocks in Europe in terms of thermal performance.”

Mr Killip also pointed out that a combination of government measures and efforts by builders were vital if people were to invest in making their homes more efficient: “There is no point advertising a service that is not available, so builders are key. The skills necessary for low-carbon refurbishment work aren’t so difficult.

“Crucial to encouraging builders is having products that work and are available. This needs a long-term and consistent signal from the Government so that the supply chain will scale up its product lines. This sort of commitment would also encourage the introduction of new and existing products in the UK market from Europe and elsewhere.

“This represents a huge new market for small builders. This is about long-term sustainable job creation, as well as social and environmental benefits.”

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