Insulate Magazine Issue 15
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
The only independent insulation industry trade magazine<br />
<strong>Insulate</strong> insulate Columnist columnist<br />
The EiGG is Key<br />
to the Industry's Success<br />
Sarah Kostense-Winterton Executive Director, MIMA<br />
“The EEIG is key to the industry’s success” a<br />
government official told a group of political<br />
stakeholders at a roundtable event in<br />
December. They were speaking of the Energy<br />
Efficiency Infrastructure Group’s (EEIG’s) campaign<br />
- for a 20-year national infrastructure programme to<br />
bring all UK homes up to a decent standard of energy<br />
efficiency (EPC C by 2035), warmth and comfort<br />
– and the comment underlines how far the EEIG has<br />
come in the past year. There is still much more to<br />
do, but the informal group, supported by a broad<br />
church of over 25 organisations, and working with<br />
others in the industry, has had notable successes<br />
during 2017, including:<br />
Government pledges around Energy Efficiency in the publication of the Clean Growth Strategy. In particular<br />
the aspirational target to have all homes up to EPC band C by 2035.<br />
The National Infrastructure Commission announcing in its interim report that it would examine Energy<br />
Efficiency as one of its infrastructure priorities as well as producing a stand alone report in spring 2018, prior<br />
to the NIA in summer 2018.<br />
A growing realisation amongst UK policy makers, the current government and its backbenchers that energy<br />
efficiency as a policy priority is a necessity and “an open goal” in terms of its all-round social, economic and<br />
health and well-being benefits.<br />
There has been much positive movement so far – more than we could ever have expected - and 2018 is most definitely<br />
the year for the gaps to be filled in the Government’s aspirations. The EEIG will be seeking:<br />
Government to fill out the detail on how it will meet its target to have all homes up to EPC band C by 2035.<br />
The National Infrastructure Commission to follow through in its final report (“Assessment”) on Energy<br />
Efficiency.<br />
Initial spending commitments to be at a minimum outlined by the HM Treasury Budget at the end of the year.<br />
The “how” we do it is perhaps for those who take a strong,<br />
geeky interest in lobbying and public affairs. It focuses on<br />
ensuring that government receives pressure from several<br />
angles, and that multiple government departments and<br />
political actors are engaged in pressing for change. Our<br />
plan is supported by the armoury of EEIG communications<br />
collateral tailored to our specific audiences and the widely<br />
referenced and respected Frontier Economics report:<br />
18<br />
www.insulatenetwork.com