House Proud is just the beginning
I am encouraged by the growing number of examples of good sustainable practice over recent years. Some organisations have been doing their bit to improve the energy efficiency of their stock and become more sustainable for a number of years. They are, though, a quiet few. What is disappointing is that we still have so far to go.
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Inside Housing and the Chartered Institute for Housing’s House Proud campaign is welcome but we need more. We need to review investment priorities in our existing stock, making energy efficiency the priority and to play our part in encouraging staff, residents and stakeholders to change their behaviour in terms of carbon impact. This way we may have a chance of not only radically reducing our carbon emissions but also creating places which can respond to our rapidly changing climate and become or remain vibrant communities.
So as the election looms and all I hear is ‘greenwash rhetoric’ from the leading political parties, I would like to request four commitments from the next government.
To create an investment structure which includes a revised rent regime to encourage landlords across sectors to invest in improving the energy efficiency of each home, helping people reduce both fuel costs and carbon emissions. And in addition allowing more time for landlords to carry out energy efficiency initiatives when a home becomes vacant.
A tax incentive policy which encourages private sector owners to invest in energy efficiency measures including the installation of domestic renewable energy and water systems.
Create a level playing field in terms of standards for all new homes across sectors. All new homes should be built to code level four. We need to review whether the code level six standard is deliverable. We should consider reallocating ‘extra costs’ of building to level six by investing in existing stock which will have a far greater impact on the UK’s carbon emissions.
Finally, reward organisations that adopt and deliver effective and practical sustainability strategies.
If the next aspiring government would pledge to adopt and deliver these policies, we might just meet the Climate Change Act’s imperative. Now that would be worth celebrating.
Adam Broadway, managing director, Instinctively Green