Introduction: the new government
There have recently been a number of important developments and government announcements on areas that Energy Saving Trust is involved in. Onshore wind and large scale solar PV subsidies under the Renewable Obligations scheme will close from April 2016, government support for the Green Deal Finance Company (GDFCo) has ended, the 2016 zero carbon homes commitment for new build homes has been removed and pre-accreditation has been cut under the feed-in tariff. Energy Saving Trust is concerned about these developments. We believe that renewable energy is an important part of building a low carbon future. We are also disappointed that, through withdrawal of support for the GDFCo, effectively the Green Deal has been brought to an end.
The Energy Secretary has re-emphasised her commitment for energy efficiency and we hope that by the Comprehensive Spending Review in the Autumn, this commitment transfers into a clear policy framework that can stimulate a clean energy transformation of the English housing stock.
Background to our policy positions
Energy Saving Trust works with citizens, businesses and governments at all levels to make our homes more energy efficient. We have a unique dialogue with the public about their homes. We handle just over 500,000 home energy advice calls on behalf of UK and Scottish Governments. We have 5.5 million visitors annually to our website and reach 80% of the UK population through the media.
There is a huge cost-effective potential to reduce energy use and carbon emissions from homes, at the same time lowering energy bills for ordinary households. Energy Saving Trust strongly supports the framework of the Climate Change Act and the Carbon Budgets but shares the Committee on Climate Change’s concern that our current mix of policies is not sufficient to achieve the level of carbon saving needed in the long term.