UK Government to Help Homeowners Tackle Climate Change

 

Apr 18 - Datamonitor

The UK government has urged local authorities and households to work together with the government in the battle against climate change. David Miliband, UK secretary of state for the environment and rural affairs, has pledged to help homeowners to tackle the mounting issue and outlined a number of steps that consumer can take to reduce their carbon footprint.

Mr Miliband has launched the government's new climate change pledge card, which sets out how the government, working in partnership with councils, energy companies and the Energy Saving Trust, will help households take simple steps to cut energy bills by up to GBP300 per year and reduce emissions of carbon dioxide.

The pledge card highlights five examples of actions that homeowners can take to improve the energy efficiency of their home, including carrying out a home energy check, replacing light bulbs with energy-saving alternatives and turning off appliances when they are not in use.

In addition, the pledge card highlights five ways in which the government will support individual action. These measures include free electricity monitors, home insulation programs, home energy ratings and phasing out energy-inefficient light bulbs.

Mr Miliband also urged all local authorities to sign up to the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change. The initiative, established by Nottingham City Council, requires participating councils to show leadership on climate change through action to cut emissions from council offices and services and in the wider community they serve. Already over 200 local authorities have signed up.

Mr Miliband said: "Every part of society has a role to play in tackling climate change. Central and local government must get our own houses in order as well as putting the right policies in place to help individuals."

"People want to do their bit but they need better information and support. Individuals are responsible for over 40% of the UK's carbon dioxide emissions through energy use in homes and personal transport," he continued.