Building on Energy Performance

Communities Minister Iain Wright on Thursday, 3rd April called on the business community to work together to improve the energy efficiency of our buildings.

Buildings are responsible for almost 50 per cent of the UK's energy consumption and carbon emission - a higher percentage than road or air traffic. Mr Wright said that if government and business - landlord and tenants, employers and employees - worked together, UK could save 40 million tonnes of carbon by 2020.

Mr Wright was speaking ahead of the next stage in the roll out of energy ratings for buildings when on 6 April large commercial properties and new homes will need an Energy Performance Certificate. However, by October all buildings including small and medium size companies also be affected by the changes in law.

The certificate is one of the measures being introduced to improve the energy efficiency of our 25 million buildings and meet our carbon emission reduction targets.

It will mean for the first time property owners and consumers will know about the energy efficiency of the buildings they use - and will have recommendations for improvement. The ratings - similar to those found on products such as fridges - are standard so the energy efficiency of one building can easily be compared with another building of a similar type.

Iain Wright said:

‘We all recognise the serious and real threat of climate change - it's no longer a question of whether we need to act but how much we need to do to stabilise our climate.

‘A major part of the answer lies in improving the energy efficiency of buildings. Most people do not realise that our buildings account for around half of CO2 emissions in the UK - more than twice that of cars and planes.

‘Effective partnership is the way we can all make this work. As government we have set a clear direction but we need industry to respond and help us to deliver change that is needed.

‘Driving up energy efficiency in buildings, means more than improving the fabric of the buildings. It means ensuring they are used and managed in a sustainable way. Public authorities will be using Display Energy Certificates to make the way they use their buildings publicly accountable.

‘We will be consulting with business on whether they wish to rise to the same challenge. I hope that business joins us in making operational ratings another tool in our battle against climate change.’

David Vincent, Policy Director, The Carbon Trust said:

‘The Carbon Trust welcomes the implementation of energy performance certificates (EPCs) and display energy certificates (DECs). Both have an important role to play to inform prospective owners and tenants about the carbon performance of the buildings they are thinking of buying or leasing.’

Paul King, Chief Executive, UK Green Buildings Council said:

‘EPCs are a crucial weapon in the fight against climate change. They are the building blocks on which to make progress in tackling emissions from our existing homes and buildings. It's now crucial we give a clear and consistent message to the industry that there is a stable policy landscape in which to take the necessary investment decisions.’

Welcoming the implementation of EPCs, Liz Peace, Chief Executive of the British Property Federation, said:

‘EPCs will give us vital indications of the energy and carbon use of the buildings. Owners and occupiers will use them to inform choices in their procurement of buildings. In time, this could have an impact upon how buildings are valued.’

Energy Performance Certificates form part of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), which all member states must adopt by January 2009.

Other measures include:
* requiring public buildings to display energy certificates;
* requiring inspections for air conditioning systems;
* giving advice and guidance for boiler users.

The next milestone in the roll-out of EPCs is in July when they are extended to buildings with a total floor area greater than 2,500 sq m. From October all remaining commercial buildings will require one.