The G15 has responded to the Net Zero Review launched by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.
Improving
the sustainability of the homes we provide, and cutting costs for residents of
heating and powering their homes, is a critical priority for all G15 members.
When gas and electricity bills are taken together, those living in the least
energy efficient homes will pay almost £2,000 extra per year compared to EPC C
rated homes. Combined with the impact of increased carbon emissions from less
energy efficient homes, these figures demonstrate the importance of continued
investment in improving the energy efficiency of existing homes.
We
welcome the government’s commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2050, and the
consensus across the political spectrum of the need to address climate change.
Not-for-profit housing associations are already making good progress in
improving the energy efficiency of the homes we provide. Around 71% of G15
members existing homes already meet EPC C, and all general needs homes are
required to meet this level by 2030. However, to meet net zero across the homes
we provide, significant further investment will be required, with G15 members
currently estimating costs of between £10bn-£11bn to achieve the target.
Estimating
the cost of achieving net zero by 2050 is currently extremely difficult. There
are a range of parameters that are not yet known, or confirmed, such as what
fabric standards will be necessary to support clean heat, and how we can
accurately measure decarbonisation. The government has an important role to
play in giving the policy certainty to allow housing providers to take long-term
decisions to improve the sustainability of our homes. Alongside this, funding
and ensuring the right skills are available in the workforce, are critical
areas for the government to focus on.
Read the full response here