Healey: We need a national crusade for greener homes

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

Housing Minister John Healey has today urged every homeowner, developer, tenant and landlord to join a “national crusade” to reduce excessive carbon emissions leaking from their homes and businesses – just a few weeks ahead of the climate change summit in Copenhagen.

Mr Healey has just finished a speech to the IPPR, in which he said everyone needs to play their part, and that planning systems need to make it easier for homeowners and developers to install their own wind turbines, solar panels and air source heat pumps without the red tape of planning permission. The full proposals, due out in the next few weeks, could also make it easier for councils to introduce electric car charger ports on streets and in car parks, Heleay said.

Nationally, nearly half of our carbon emissions come from buildings; more than roads, railways and airports combined: most people’s biggest contribution to our national carbon footprint is their home

In his speech, Mr Healey said:

“If we stand a chance of tackling climate change, we need nothing less than a national crusade with everyone able to play their part. There is no plan B and homes must become greener…

At the moment, the eco movement is polarised between hair shirts and Prada shirts. The ‘hair shirt’ image of self-denial, and the ‘Prada shirt’ brigade who can afford to pop a wind turbine on their roof. So my view of the home of the future is an egalitarian vision – not the grand designs of a few, but greener, more affordable homes which help everyone do their bit for tackling climate change.

One in three of Britain’s homes in 2050 will be built between now and then, so we must all adapt to ensure that our walls, lofts and windows are insulated and that our energy use is efficient.

But the future home does not stand alone, which is why we need the right green infrastructure in place to support us…

The Infrastructure Planning Commission, which I set up in the Planning Bill earlier this year, replaces an outdated planning system which tied up green applications in red tape. It will take the tough decisions on big infrastructure projects which are needed for the future needs of our country.”