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Existing housing stock 'energy efficiency priority'

Making existing housing stock more energy efficient should be a priority as the country strives to meet carbon emissions reduction targets, according to a new report.

According to the Powering our Lives report from government think tank Foresight, energy to power UK buildings accounts for 50 per cent of UK carbon emissions and reducing this consumption should be a first step in reducing emissions.

Measures such as installing insulation, double glazing and combination boilers could help make existing buildings more efficient.

Even though new buildings have to meet energy efficiency standards – from 2016 on new buildings will have to be zero-carbon – the majority of buildings that will be in use in 2050 will have been built by 2000.

Professor John Beddington, the government's chief scientific adviser and director of the Foresight programme, said: Homes built in the future will be more carbon neutral, however the vast majority of buildings pre-date our awareness of emissions and climate change - these are where quick-wins can be achieved.

"Bringing older housing stock's energy efficiency up to standard should be a priority - providing the right incentives and support is offered to encourage homeowners, business, housing authorities and local government to change their thinking."

Making homes more efficient will also reduce their gas and electricity bills as less energy will have to be used to heat and power them.

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