I’m feeling some disquiet around the cynicism towards green energy improvements throughout the UK.
We have the opportunity to be a leading light in this area, but the government as well as past and present members of the opposition appear to be making excuses already regarding why the UK shouldn’t meet its green targets.
Last week housing secretary Michael Gove said “we’re asking too much too quickly” when it comes to improving property EPCs to C by 2025/2026 for new tenancies and 2028 for existing tenancies.
Meanwhile Sadiq Khan is facing a wave of criticism for his ULEZ expansion from both outside and inside the Labour Party, despite inner city London containing far more traffic than it was ever designed to hold.
Meanwhile ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair has argued that there’s little point in the UK improving its green record while China continues to pollute.
I disagree with this defeatist attitude.
If the UK and other nations prioritise green investment, they’ll be in a much better position to pressure China to do the same. Climate change will be accelerated if we simply give up because China are worse offenders.
Looking at the housing front, the current energy crisis has demonstrated why the UK needs to both improve the energy efficiency of its stock, as well as start transitioning away from carbon-based heating systems.
The cost of inefficient properties has hit people in the pocket, and the UK needs to become more self-reliant to reduce the influence of energy exporting nations in the Gulf, as well as Russia.
I’d like the EPC targets to stay, rather than the government pull its signature move, and extend the deadline a number of times, like it did with the end of the stamp duty holiday.
It’s been reported that Energy Performance Certificates will be reformed, and I’d like to see changes to reward those who switch to heat pumps.
So to sum transitioning the economy to a greener one is a step in the right direction – and I’m tired of reading articles on why it apparently isn’t possible. We need to be progressive on this issue, both for the planet and the future of the UK economy, even if there’s a short-term economic hit.
