Dr Mari Martiskainen, Research Fellow, and Dr Paula Kivimaa, Senior Research Fellow, from the Sussex Energy Group, University of Sussex, have joined 30 businesses, heat and energy efficiency organisations, urging the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Greg Clark to commit to an ambitious energy efficiency drive as part of the forthcoming Clean Power Plan. The businesses include engineering firm Arup and Kingfisher, the owner of B&Q.
The organisations are calling for new policies to encourage householders to make energy efficiency improvements to their homes, one of the cheapest ways to reduce emissions. Under a European Union directive, all new buildings must be “nearly zero energy” by 2020 and the companies said the UK must ensure it retains this target after Brexit.
“Research consistently suggests that reducing energy demand from our homes is one of the most cost effective ways to meet the UK’s 2050 carbon target. Taking a ‘fabric-first’ approach to decarbonising heat, where cost effective, will also provide many co-benefits to society in terms of healthcare costs, fuel poverty, jobs, energy security and economic productivity. Because of these benefits, energy efficiency should be designated an infrastructure investment priority for the UK,” the letter said.
Read the full letter [PDF].
Read a related story by The Independent.
****************************************************************************************
Photo credit to: Los Angeles District ’79th Sustainment Support Command Los Alamitos” All Creative Commons.
