Wales urged to set ambitious energy targets for homes

An independent report has called on the Welsh Government to commit to a 30 year programme to reduce carbon emissions in its homes.

The report, ‘Better Homes, Better Wales, Better World’, was commissioned by Welsh Ministers last year and recognises the political, economic and social challenges of making homes greener and more energy efficient.

The recommendations of the report conclude that political parties in Wales should make a strategic commitment to national residential decarbonisation and stick to it. To do this, the Welsh Government should: set ambitious energy targets for homes to achieve net zero carbon by 2050; put in place the right quality system  and delivery mechanisms for all homes to meet the targets; develop a holistic package of support for all homes  to motivate and facilitate action; collect data about the status and condition of the housing stock to inform future decisions and measure progress; continue to monitor and test new solutions to help decarbonise homes; and engage communities, networks, associations and third sector organisations to help make the change.

Minister for Housing and Local Government Julie James said: "I welcome the Advisory Group’s recommendations and want to thank Chris and all members of the Group for their expertise and insight. Making our homes greener and more energy efficient will be challenging, especially when you consider that Wales has the oldest and least thermally efficient housing in the UK and Europe.

"But with this challenge also comes enormous opportunities - lower fuel bills, improved air quality, more comfortable homes, better health, new jobs and skills. We have to be ambitious and creative if we’re going to achieve the change we need."

Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Energy, Environment and Rural Affairs, added: "We are in a climate emergency. Our Low Carbon Action Plan sets out the steps we will take to cut emissions and support the growth of a low carbon economy and this Report is one of the first items we promised.

"Making our homes greener and more energy efficient is absolutely central to this and, while the Welsh Government will show the leadership, I’ve been very clear that all of us must play our part in achieving a low carbon Wales. This report shows the scale of the challenge ahead but also the many benefits for our society, economy and natural environment."