UK Climate Change Programme 2006 - JNCC - Defra

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CHAPTER SIX
Domestic
In 2004, the domestic sector was responsible for around 27 per cent of total UK carbon dioxide emissions on
an end user basis. Emissions had fallen to about 2 per cent below 1990 levels by 2004 and we estimate that,
including the expected impact of the new measures included in this Programme, they will fall further, to
almost 16 per cent below 1990 levels by 2010.
Greenhouse gas emissions had fallen by about 5 per cent between the base year and 2004. We estimate
that with the additional measures introduced in this Programme, they could fall further to almost 16 per
cent below base year levels by 2010.
The Government is committed to taking action to cut carbon dioxide emissions from the domestic sector.
Tackling household energy usage is an effective way not only to reduce emissions but also to support
progress towards wider economic and social objectives. Although most energy efficiency measures are very
cost-effective, generating net benefits to consumers, significant barriers remain, especially the lack
of consumer demand for energy efficiency measures.
Measures introduced in the Climate Change Programme 2000 are estimated to save around 3.6 MtC in 2010.
The Energy Efficiency Commitment (1.6 MtC), Building Regulations (1.5 MtC), and fuel poverty programmes
(0.4 MtC) are the main contributors in carbon terms, with product policy and information, advice and
support also playing a key role.
New measures that will deliver additional carbon savings to 2010 are:
• seeking to achieve substantially higher carbon savings from the Energy Efficiency Commitment in 2008-
11. We will consider with stakeholders how to provide as much flexibility as possible in the range of
measures that can be employed;
• the Code for Sustainable Homes which has minimum standards for energy and water efficiency at every
level of the Code, with the lowest levels raised above the level of mandatory building regulations;
• the update to the Building Regulations in April 2006 to raise energy standards of new build and
refurbished buildings. The cumulative effect of these and the 2002 and 2005 changes to the Building
Regulations is substantial, giving a 40 per cent improvement in the energy efficiency of new buildings.
We are also conducting a review of measures to improve the sustainability of existing buildings, which
will be completed by summer 2006;
• more reliable consumer product information and setting effective standards for energy-using products
via voluntary agreements, in particular a new initiative with major retailers, the Eco-design of Energy
Using Products (EUP) framework Directive and other national, EU and international policy measures and
initiatives, including public procurement;
• enabling consumption feedback to households via improved billing and metering;
• continuing to tackle fuel poverty through the Warm Front and Decent Homes programmes; and
• continuing to support the activities of the Energy Saving Trust and the Climate Change Communications
Initiative to raise awareness about climate change and the action individuals can take to help tackle it.
We are launching a major new initiative designed to strengthen consumer demand for energy efficiency,
working closely with local authorities, energy suppliers, and others, with funding of £20m over the next
two years.
Together, it is estimated that these new measures will contribute an additional 1.2 MtC of carbon savings in
2010, bringing total savings in 2010 to 4.8 MtC.