Call for evidence into the Government’s approach to delivering energy efficiency improvements to buildings

Peter Mallaburn and Tadj Oreszczyn

House of Commons Select Committee on Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy call for evidence into the Government’s approach to delivering energy efficiency improvements to buildings

Summary of our response

Energy efficiency policy in the UK is adrift. CREDS’ view is that this is because policy focuses on technologies and costs and not on the wider multiple benefits, such as productivity, health and welfare, and lower public spending. A shift to such a benefits-driven, demand-led approach is proving to be successful elsewhere and could be replicated here.

We strongly recommend that UK energy efficiency policy should adopt this multiple benefit approach, starting with buildings.

CREDS considers that energy efficiency cannot be left to markets alone, and calls on Government to intervene to help businesses and householders to recognise the value of energy efficiency so that they can make the necessary investments.

Banner photo credit: Alireza Attari on Unsplash