The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has said a National Retrofit Strategy to upgrade our existing homes to make them more energy efficient is needed to underpin the government’s Energy White Paper.
The Energy White Paper builds on the Prime Minister’s Ten-point plan for a green industrial revolution. It addresses the transformation of the country’s energy system, promotes high-skilled jobs and clean, resilient economic growth as net-zero emissions are delivered by 2050.
The Paper sets out specific steps the government will take over the next decade to cut emissions from buildings, industry, and transport by 230 million metric tonnes, while supporting hundreds of thousands of new green jobs.
It will change the UK’s energy system from one that was historically based on fossil fuels, to one that is fit for a net zero economy, including changing how the country heats its homes and harnessing renewable energy supplies.
Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said: “The announcement of the long-anticipated Energy White Paper, with its focus on making our buildings warmer and greener, is an important step forward on the UK’s journey toward net-zero.
“Britain has 28 million homes, many of which are energy inefficient and 85% of which will still be in use in 2050. Given that homes contribute 20% of the country’s carbon emissions, it’s important that they are retrofitted to help deliver the government’s carbon targets.”
Brian concluded: “The government has a unique opportunity to develop a national retrofit strategy as part of its Energy White Paper to ensure we have greener homes. Given the upcoming COP26, 2021 provides a pivotal moment for the government to demonstrate that the UK can be a world leader in creating greener homes. A national retrofit strategy, rather than a series of piecemeal initiatives, would underpin this ambition.”
