{"id":90769,"date":"2021-03-22T10:33:06","date_gmt":"2021-03-22T10:33:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/?p=90769"},"modified":"2021-03-22T10:33:06","modified_gmt":"2021-03-22T10:33:06","slug":"decarbonise-uk-homes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/energy-news\/decarbonise-uk-homes\/90769\/","title":{"rendered":"Government woefully misjudges costs to decarbonise homes, warns EAC"},"content":{"rendered":"

The government has underestimated the costs to decarbonise UK homes by 2050, warns the Environmental Audit Committee<\/a> (EAC)<\/h2>\n

The EAC has warned the government is failing to grasp the enormous challenge of decarbonising the UK\u2019s housing stock<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In its latest report, \u2018Energy Efficiency of Existing Homes\u2019, the EAC states that the government\u2019s legally binding target to be net zero carbon by 2050<\/a> will hit a roadblock unless urgent action is taken to improve energy efficiency of homes this decade.<\/p>\n

EAC says the government has underestimated the costs to decarbonise UK homes by 2050, at between \u00a335bn and \u00a365bn. However, this does not include properties such as those with solid walls, or those in conservation areas which could make energy efficiency installations more challenging. 19 million UK properties need energy efficiency upgrades to meet EPC band C, and the EAC heard in evidence that it can cost on average \u00a318,000 (before a heat pump installation). Therefore, the cost is likely to be far greater than the government\u2019s estimate.<\/p>\n

The EAC is concerned that Government has announced just over \u00a34bn of the \u00a39.2bn committed to in the 2019 manifesto for energy efficiency measures. To stimulate activity, schemes such as the Home Upgrade Grants, Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund and phase two of the Green Homes Grant<\/a> Local Authority Delivery Scheme should be front-loaded and rolled out without delay.<\/p>\n

The lack of Government investment and signals to the energy efficiency sector is doing little to incentivise businesses to upskill engineers and installers, says EAC. Poorly designed schemes that have been rolled-out are failing to make a big impact.<\/p>\n

The Green Homes Grant, although a welcome initiative, has been laden with lengthy bureaucracy, which has led to reports of businesses laying off staff to cover loss of income rather than creating green jobs as heralded.<\/p>\n

\u2018Realism needs to be injected into the government\u2019<\/h3>\n

Environmental Audit Committee chairman, Philip Dunne, said: \u201cMaking 19 million homes ready for net zero Britain by 2050 is an enormous challenge that the government appears to have not yet grasped.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the next 29 years, the government must improve energy efficiency upgrades and roll out low carbon heating measures: a material start must be made now.<\/p>\n

\u201cGovernment investment to improve energy efficiency has been woefully inadequate. The \u00a39bn that the government pledged at the election was welcome, but 16 months on, there appears to be no plan nor meaningful delivery. Funding allocated for the Green Homes Grant has not been spent, with only \u00a3125m worth of vouchers \u2013 of the \u00a31.5bn budget \u2013 issued.<\/p>\n

\u201cFurther schemes that endure must be rolled out, boosting the government\u2019s credibility with householders and their contractors that it is determined to decarbonise the nation\u2019s homes. This will give confidence to businesses that they can invest in upskilling and green jobs<\/a>. Consumer advice must also make clear the necessity and benefits of retrofits: although installations may be disruptive for a short period, in the long run consumers can enjoy warmer homes with lower energy bills.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis must be properly reflected in the system that assesses energy efficiency: EPCs are outdated and should be replaced with Building Renovation Passports, which set a clear pathway to decarbonise homes.<\/p>\n

\u201cRealism needs to be injected into the government. A much better understanding of cost, pace, scale and feasibility of skills development is desperately needed for net zero Britain.\u201d<\/p>\n

EAC recommendations include:<\/h3>\n