Austin Macauley 22 October 2014

Climate change goals wil be missed, warns charity

The Government will fail to meet climate change targets unless it ramps up efforts to create warm, affordable low-carbon homes, campaigners have warned.

Conservation charity WWF called on ministers to highlight the benefits of low-carbon heat and use ‘a balance of regulation and incentives’ to increase uptake of renewable heat technologies.

Energy efficiency should be made a national infrastructure priority, it said, backed by legislation that sets a timeline for regulating improvements in energy efficiency and low-carbon heating.

With just 2% of the UK’s heating demand currently met by low-carbon sources, the Government is ‘very far’ from reaching a goal of 25% by 2030.

Zoe Leader, WWF-UK’s climate and energy specialist said: ‘The Government’s support for renewable heat is making slow but steady progress, but at the current rate will fail to meet our climate change goals.

‘In the next 15 years, the UK needs to insulate eight million lofts, install nearly four million heat pumps and quadruple the number of homes connected to heat networks. That's not going to happen without stronger Government support. The prize at the end will be many more warmer, healthier homes that are cheaper to run.

‘WWF'’s report shows that there is real opportunity to reduce our carbon footprint from heating.

‘It is clear that strong Government policies can address the barriers to large scale deployment, help reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels while supporting enterprise and innovation in a new industry.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Democratic Services, Elections & Monitoring Officer

Harborough District Council
Grade 12 £67,236 – £71,223 plus £3000pa Statutory Officer Allowance
We are looking for an accomplished and proactive leader for our vacant post of Head of Democratic Services & Elections Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Harborough District Council

Strategic Director, Corporate Services

City of Bradford MDC
c£162,000 per annum, more for an exceptional candidate
Bradford is at an extraordinary moment of transformation Bradford, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: City of Bradford MDC

Director of Human Resources

City of Bradford MDC
£119,466 - £131,207
Bradford is at an extraordinary moment of transformation Bradford, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: City of Bradford MDC

Director of Resources (Section 151 Officer)

North Kesteven District Council
£109,668 – £117,623
Create the conditions for long-term prosperity
Recuriter: North Kesteven District Council

Director of Libraries, Sport and Physical Activity & Communities

Glasgow Life
£102,894.01 - £116,854.38 per year
Our teams focus on making a real difference through culture and sport in Glasgow. Glasgow, Glasgow City
Recuriter: Glasgow Life
Linkedin Banner