On Friday, James attended and made the opening remarks of Klimate Concern's warm Green Homes Workshop, "Our Homes-Fit for the Future". He spoke about the government's plan for reaching Net Zero; the role of reducing emissions from homes in tackling climate change; and the Green Home Grants and other schemes.
Klimate Concern was formed in 2015 and aims to raise awareness about the urgency for action on climate change both locally and nationally.
James highlighted that the UK has decarbonised our economy faster than any other G20 country and since 1990 our economy has grown by 75% while cutting emissions by 43%.
He welcomed that renewable capacity has quadrupled since 2010. James was an adviser in the Department for Energy and Climate Change when the new regime was introduced that supported renewables. This has led to the UK having the largest offshore wind capacity in the world and James spoke about the government's ambition to go further and deliver 40GW by 2030.
There is the chance now not only to build back better but also to build back greener, which will provide thousands of new jobs.
As part of this, the Green Homes Grant Scheme is making £1.5 billion available to landlords and homeowners to fund up to £5,000 to cover two-thirds of the cost of eligible home energy efficient installations. This scheme could result in 600,000 homes being made more energy-efficient, with households saving up to £300 per year on bills. To find out more about the Green Homes Grant visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-the-green-homes-grant-scheme
The scheme forms part of a plan to upgrade the nation's buildings expected to support an additional 120,000 jobs, including £1 billion for public buildings through a Public Sector Decarbonisation Fund and £50 million to improve energy efficiency in social housing. To find put more about the Public Sector Decarbonisation Fund please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-sector-decarbonisatio…
James pointed out the importance of the Future Homes Standard in dramatically cutting emissions in new homes from 2025.
This is an important element of the government's wider plans to tackle emissions in transport, waste, energy, agriculture, and other sectors.
To watch the recording of the Klimate concern workshop please visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/BGRpvMVMvW7L3oTPRB6lVasEMIQe4-VTffqCwjnxYeAIxUfOHAPIlwjmCRX6WdUP.ItWOdOLchZYDA7_o
