HPA and FETA urge climate action plan

The Heat Pump Association (HPA) and The Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA) have 

 joined other leading organisations in writing to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial 

Strategy, Rt Hon. Greg Clark MP. 

The joint letter urges the UK Government to use its forthcoming plan to reduce carbon emissions,now confirmed to 

be called the ‘Clean Growth Plan’, to address the significant gap in policy to tackle emissions from buildings. 

Whilst emissions from electricity generation fell 36% between 2012 and 2015 driven by lower coal use and increa

-sed renewables,emissions from buildings have remained flat over the same period,following significant cuts to 

Government,schemes to insulate homes,the demise of the Green Deal and the scrapping of the Zero Carbon

Homes standard for new buildings.

The HPA,FETA and other organisations active in the energy efficiency,construction and heat markets, are calling 

for new policies to encourage householders to make energy efficiency improvements to their homes,    one of the 

cheapest ways to reduce emissions. 

They also call for greater action on the transition to low carbon heat by helping investment in district heat networks 

and faster installation of electric heat pumps in homes off the gas grid.

The 30 organisations have specifically called for:

1.A long-term target for all homes to have an energy performance rating of C or above by 2035. 

2.The introduction of minimum standards on efficiency for existing homes,enforced at the point of sale,and backed 

up by grants and zero interest loans.

3.All new buildings to be ‘nearly zero energy’ by 2020, as specified under the EU Energy Performance in Buildings 

  Directive.

4.A clear strategy and policy to accelerate the roll out of low carbon heat,   particularly electric heat pumps,  in build

-ings off the gas grid to 2020 and beyond.

5.Support the growth of district heat networks by building on the Heat Network Investment Project through the 2020s 

and providing a long-term investment framework to facilitate lower cost capital.

6.A local authority-led approach to heat decarbonisation,to ensure a long-term plan for all buildings that coordinates 

action on energy efficiency and low carbon heat.

The organisations have offered their support and expertise to   the UK Government  in delivering the emissions cuts 

that the UK needs to achieve to meet the requirements of the Climate Change Act. 

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