National Insulation Association - reducing carbon emissions in
homes
Phil Woolas MP, Minister for the Environment, who is currently
attending a UN climate change conference in Indonesia, gave a
televised Ministerial address to the insulation industry at the
National Insulation Association’s (NIA) annual conference on 11th
December. Mr Woolas confirmed the government’s intention to
drastically increase active measures to reduce carbon emissions in
the UK’s housing stock over the next three years.
Mr Woolas reiterated that such carbon savings must begin in the home
and stated: “The household sector is responsible for 27% of our
carbon emissions and I am pleased to be able to address the industry
which has contributed an enormous amount in reducing those emissions
and really are in a leading role in the fight against climate
change.”
The basis of the ministerial announcement was the impending
introduction of CERT (Carbon Emissions Reduction Target), a much
talked about topic within the insulation industry. This was the
first time however, that the actual parameters, targets and
conditions were made public.
Effectively, this new scheme will mean that within the three year
time frame a doubling of the current activity would be required.
This should result in around 3 million homes having their cavity
walls filled and around 2.4 million lofts being professionally
insulated.
A priority group was also identified to ensure that low income and
vulnerable households benefit from the scheme. In addition to low
income households on qualifying benefits, all people aged 70 and
over will be included in the priority group for the first time.
Around 40% of all the insulation installations carried out will be
directed to these householders to ensure that the priority group
receives adequate insulation meaures before the 31st March 2011. One
area in particular that is to receive additional support under the
new CERT will be solid wall insulation which in itself could benefit
around 8 million homes.
During the conference, an official from DEFRA (Department for
Environment Food and Rural Affairs) explained that the purpose of
the priority group is to achieve equity for low-income and elderly
consumers. As a result of directing measures to those on low
incomes, some households will be removed from fuel poverty. They
will benefit from lower fuel bills and warmer homes.
The draft legislation for CERT was laid before Parliament on 5
December and will be debated by both Houses of Parliament in January
2008. CERT will commence on 1 April 2008. It builds on the success
of the Energy Efficiency Commitment (EEC), which obliges energy
suppliers to promote improvements in energy efficiency in
households. EEC has delivered substantial carbon savings, primarily
through the delivery of insulation measures.
Neil Marshall, Chief Executive of the NIA stated: “We welcome the
introduction of CERT and look forward to working with Government and
others to ensure that all homes are is adequately insulated. This
will significantly reduce carbon emissions’as well as lower average
energy bills. There are nearly 9 million homes with cavity walls
that are not insulated and around half of the existing housing stock
requires insulation to reach a thermally efficient standard. The
insulation industry has the expertise, technology and capacity to
meet the requirements for treating these homes”.
Email:
Alistair@evolution-pr.co.uk
Arundel Jones Associates Ltd
Hill Farm, Linton Hill, Maidstone, Kent ME17 4AL
Tel : 01622 745333
news@buildingdesign.co.uk
Registered in England and Wales No. 07334149
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