Malcolm Bruce and Kevin McCloud build case for greener homes
July 14, 2009 12:00 AM
Malcolm Bruce MP helping Kevin McCloud insulate his home outside Parliament. (Credit: © Benjamin Ealovega / WWF-UK)
Malcolm Bruce MP for Gordon has joined Grand Designs host Kevin McCloud outside Parliament to build a compelling case for a nationwide green refurbishment programme on the day that the Government launches its Climate Change and Energy strategy.
The Grand Designs Great British Refurb Campaign, led by Kevin McCloud, has gained the support of thousands of homeowners across the country who are asking for Government support to make their homes more energy efficient.
Tackling our poorly insulated, inefficient housing stock, has the potential to reduce homeowners energy bills, create thousands of 'green collar' jobs, and help the UK meet its climate change targets.
Mr Bruce joined the campaign by helping Kevin McCloud insulate his 'home' outside the Houses of Parliament.
Local MP Malcolm Bruce said:
"Today the energy secretary Ed Miliband MP and business secretary Lord Mandelson set out their latest plans on energy and climate change in a Government White Paper.
"We need an ambitious and co-ordinated response with the Scottish executive and local councils to tackling energy efficiency in the UK's 26 million existing homes which must be a priority for the Government.
"I particularly want to see the Government address the issue of 'hard to treat' homes. Aberdeen has a high proportion of hard to treat homes and this could make a contribution in helping homeowners there address energy efficiency. Homeowners can do their bit to reduce their energy consumption, but they need more support and greater financial incentives to green their homes, and unlock the potential energy and cost savings within their four walls.
It is estimated that by retrofitting our existing housing stock, nine million tonnes of carbon dioxide could be saved - the equivalent to the average CO2 output of over 1.5 million homes per year. The market for green refurbishment and improvement could be worth between £3.5 billion and £6.5 billion per year and thousands of new jobs could be created. Britons could save on average £300 a year on household bills by being more energy efficient and improving heating and insulation in the home.
The Great British Refurb Campaign is supported by the Energy Saving Trust, Grand Designs magazine, UK Green Building Council, and WWF-UK. Thousands of homeowners have already added their name to a petition calling upon the Prime Minister to make it easier, more affordable, and more attractive to go green at home. This petition will be delivered to No 10 Downing Street later this week and is well timed to coincide with the Government's latest announcement on reducing the UK's energy demands.
Kevin McCloud says:
"We urgently need a plan of action to deliver on our climate change targets. A nationwide programme of green refurbishment is an ideal solution, creating a major reduction in carbon emissions and providing a boost to the economy through the creation of green collar jobs in our communities. But in order to achieve this, the Government must first remove the cost barrier and make it a tangible solution for the nation's homeowners."
The Great British Refurb Campaign is calling upon the Government to:
• Offer households new ways to pay for green refurbishment, which would significantly reduce upfront costs and instead spread them over a longer period of time.
• Provide better financial incentives for householders to refurbish their homes to make them greener and more energy efficient, through substantial government grants, subsidies or tax rebates.
• Ensure installers are qualified and approved to undertake the work.
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NB: To find out more about the Great British Refurb Campaign visit www.greatbritishrefurb.co.uk.
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