CIOB responds to net zero scaling back
Eddie Tuttle, Director of Policy, Research and Public Affairs at CIOB, said: “Decarbonising homes and the wider built environment is vital to reach net zero so it’s disappointing to hear the Prime Minister scaling back energy efficiency targets and the commitments made in the Government’s own net zero growth plan published only six months ago, which refers to minimising reliance on fossil fuels.
"The Office for Budget Responsibility has previously concluded that a late and abrupt transition to net zero would cost more. It has also noted that 'continued dependence on gas could be as expensive fiscally as completing the transition to net zero.'
“Energy consumption in buildings accounts for almost half of the UK’s carbon emissions so to de-prioritise this issue is baffling when the government should instead be finding ways to support homeowners to retrofit their properties and improve their energy efficiency for the lowest possible cost.
“The Boiler Upgrade Scheme has had very low take up and in our view, increasing the grant available to homeowners will make little difference, as the remaining cost will still be unaffordable for many households amidst a cost of living crisis.
“If government remains committed to reaching net zero by 2050, as they say they are, then they must set out how they plan to achieve this without reducing the reliance on carbon-based fuels to heat homes on the scale and at the pace required.”
CIOB has long campaigned for a national retrofit strategy alongside others in the built environment sector.
This article appears on the CIOB news and blog site as "CIOB responds to net zero scaling back" dated September 20, 2023.
--CIOB
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Net zero carbon 2050.
- Aligning net zero with the levelling-up agenda.
- APM responds to the Government 2022 mini budget.
- A zero-carbon UK by 2050?
- CIOB reaction to September 2022 mini budget.
- Construction skills crisis threatens UK net zero goals.
- Climate Change Act.
- ECA cautions against net zero targets becoming political football.
- England, Wales, electrical skills, training and net zero in 2023.
- Government Growth Plan September 2022.
- Half of public sector bodies not planning for net zero carbon.
- Making Mission Possible: report on achieving a zero-carbon economy by 2030.
- Net Zero All Party Parliamentary Group NZ APPG.
- Net zero by 2050.
- Net zero strategy: build back greener.
- Net zero building higher education and the skills of the future.
- Smoothing the path to net zero.
- UK Energy Bill Relief Schemes.
- Government net zero review 2022.
Featured articles and news
Considerate Constructors Scheme acquires Building A Safer Future
Acquisition defines a new era for safety in construction.
AT Awards evening 2024; the winners and finalists
Recognising professionals with outstanding achievements.
Reactions to the Autumn Budget announcement
And key elements of the quoted budget to rebuild Britain.
Chancellor of the Exchequer delivers Budget
Repairing, fixing, rebuilding, protecting and strengthening.
Expectation management in building design
Interest, management, occupant satisfaction and the performance gap.
Connecting conservation research and practice with IHBC
State of the art heritage research & practice and guidance.
Innovative Silica Safety Toolkit
Receives funding boost in memory of construction visionary.
Gentle density and the current context of planning changes
How should designers deliver it now as it appears in NPPF.
Sustainable Futures. Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living
More speakers confirmed for BSRIA Briefing 2024.
Making the most of urban land: Brownfield Passports
Policy paper in brief with industry responses welcomed.
The boundaries and networks of the Magonsæte.
London Build Fire and Security Expo
20-21 Nov and now with new Ambassador Programme..
The Scottish Building Safety Levy
Eight weeks of consultation closing on 18 November.
The grey, the brown and the golden rules of housing
shifting policies from the wild west of housing development.
Future proofing homes that are fit for purpose
Specification challenges and the role of plastic.
Thousands of new homes unlocked for brownfield sites
£68 million to 54 councils for neglected land into new homes.