A new report says the capital’s rate of insulation is so low – well below the national average – that it would take at least 65 years to fully insulate its homes – almost 50 years too late for the Mayor’sgoal of a 60 percent reduction1 in carbon emissions by 2025.
The London Assembly Environment Committee report, Lagging Behind – Insulating homes in London, says the poor rate of insulation will also not make much of an impact on another of the Mayor’s ambitions – reducing the more than 300,000 London households in fuel poverty. This figure has increased significantly on the back of high fuel prices, and is likely to rise even further this winter.
Retrofitting houses2 with insulation and double-glazing could cut 4.2 million tonnes of CO2 or around a quarter of London’s household emissions3. Basic insulation can save £250-£350 off a home’s typical annual energy bill.
The Committee found there are a number of reasons why London’s insulation rate is so low: it is cheaper and easier for installers to operate outside the capital; the plethora of available schemes4 is confusing; and existing incentives are not effective enough to encourage people to take part.
In addition, Londoners appear to be missing out on millions of pounds to help them insulate their homes because of the way funding from the major government programme aimed at reducing CO2 is being distributed.
Darren Johnson AM, Chair of the Environment Committee, said: "Home insulation does not inspire photo shoots in glossy magazines like a new bathroom or kitchen – but those other home improvements will not save money or help cut carbon emissions like roof and wall insulation will.
"Our report estimates that between 40,000 and 55,000 insulations were carried out in London in 2007. While this sounds like a significant number, London has a lot of catching up to do if it is to match the rest of the country."
The Committee calls on the Mayor to set out an ambitious programme to rapidly expand insulation activity, delivering 90,000 insulations a year in the short-term and a significant increase in the delivery of solid wall insulations.
Other recommendations include:
* Boris Johnson should simplify the process of getting insulation – encouraging the consolidation of schemes under one phone number offering advice, guiding householders to the right deal for them, and arranging for installers to visit.
* The Mayor should work with London boroughs, energy suppliers and the Energy Savings Trust to develop area-based schemes that meet the capital’s unique requirements.
* The London Development Agency should look at growing the capacity of the insulation industry in London to provide employment and support carbon reductions.
* The Department of Energy and Climate change should reassess the CERT rules to provide a fairer distribution of funding.
The report identifies Kirklees Council in West Yorkshire as a UK leader in insulating the homes, achieving high levels of take-up through a combination of strong political backing, dedicated funding and a comprehensive, simple to use scheme.
Darren Johnson said: "Visiting Kirklees impressed upon me the importance of making it as easy as possible for people to get insulation and we call on the Mayor to take bold action to replicate their success in the capital.
"The Committee knows that gaining such a high level of coordination between different schemes will be a huge challenge in London – but this is exactly the type of challenge the Mayor needs to address."
Commenting on the Committee’s report, Cllr David Hall, Kirklees Council Cabinet Member for Transport & Green Services, said: "We were delighted to showcase our Warm Zone programme to the London Assembly. Our free for everyone insulation scheme is having dramatic effects on the warmth of people’s homes, reducing fuel bills and carbon footprints.
"We hope that our achievements in Kirklees can be replicated in London, and across the UK, resulting in warmer, happier residents, with more money in their pockets. As more and more households are facing fuel poverty hardship, we call on the government to fund such schemes across the UK to help deliver economic and environmental benefits for all."