ACTION is needed to tackle Britain’s existing housing stock if the Government is serious about improving energy efficiency, said a construction industry group.
The Federation of Master Builders, said existing houses accounted for 27% of the UK’s total carbon emissions.
Responding to the Government’s Energy Efficiency Strategy, FMB chief executive Brian Berry (pictured) said: “The Government’s energy efficiency strategy is an important step forward in ensuring the UK devises a meaningful long term strategic plan for maximising the potential for energy efficiency improvements.
“However, radical action is needed to transform our existing building stock to make it greener and more energy efficient.”
He said: “It’s becoming ever more apparent that the Government’s Green Deal retrofit initiative is not going to deliver the transformational change that is needed, which is why we need a range of incentives to promote energy efficiency.
“We are doing our bit to encourage small builders to equip themselves with the skills and training needed to compete in the energy efficiency marketplace, but they need certainty that the Green Deal will deliver the much needed business opportunities and that the Government is fully behind the scheme.”
Said Mr Berry: “Whilst the strategy usefully summarises the challenge ahead it contains very little in terms of detailed aims and objectives.
“The Government’s intention to develop a series of sector guides on what benefits increasing energy efficiency can bring to consumers by next summer is welcome and the FMB looks forward to working to assist on behalf of the building industry.”
