Decarbonisation of 29 million homes at risk, say coalition

A group of consumer and industry groups have warned that the decarbonisation of 29 million homes at risk due to significant gaps in net-zero plans.

Writing an open letter to the Prime Minister, the coalition of companies, including Citizens Advice, Which? and the Federation of Master Builders, say that it’s currently too complicated for people to adapt their homes for net zero and too often things go wrong.

Together they are urging the government to work with them to address the obstacles currently faced by consumers and ensure lessons from previous energy efficiency schemes are learned. Otherwise it risks undermining the UK’s ability to decarbonise its 29 million homes.

The coalition is also urging the government to avoid the mistakes of past energy efficiency schemes. Mistakes which left too many people struggling with damp and mould due to poorly installed insulation. Others suffered damage to their homes, leaving them with long-term problems that were expensive, disruptive and distressing to resolve.

Dame Clare Moriarty, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: “Our evidence is clear. Right now, making green changes to homes is too confusing and too often things go wrong for those trying to do the right thing. The public are behind the net-zero transition, but they need the right information and tools, particularly when it comes to adapting their home. By getting things right now, the government can give people the confidence to make changes and play their part in getting to net zero.”