Commenting on the release of the Conservative Party Manifesto, Lesley Rudd, Chief Executive of the Sustainable Energy Association said:

“The Sustainable Energy Association welcomes the Conservative pledge to leave the environment in a better state than they inherited it, and the commitment to produce a comprehensive 25 Year Environment Plan that will chart how we improve our environment as we leave the European Union. However, as we take control of our environmental legislation we must ensure we retain and improve our commitment to the environment.  Also welcomed is the acknowledgment that an energy efficient home is a more affordable and healthy home and the commitment to improve the energy efficiency of existing homes, by committing to upgrading all fuel poor homes to EPC Band C by 2030. Whilst we appreciate the focus on the fuel poor we need policies to upgrade all homes to EPC band C by 2035 if we are to make our homes more affordable and healthy.  The plan to establish an  industrial energy efficiency scheme also recognises the importance of energy efficiency in bringing down bills.  On housing, we welcome the focus on quality and sustainable homes and the commitment to review requirements on new homes. These homes will be around for the next 100 years – we need to ensure they are energy efficient and sustainable.  Housing Associations can play an important role in delivering the sustainable integrated communities the manifesto outlines  and the SEA looks forward to the next government engaging with its housing provider members in building these communities. The commitment to a diverse energy mix is something the SEA supports but we must make sure this energy mix includes a strong focus on renewables otherwise we will not leave the environment in a better state that we inherited it.”