I’d like to take a few moments to outline the background to, and content of the manifesto that we published yesterday.
First, this is a great big win / win. We start by spelling out the economics – using Government’s own data and tool to set out compelling case – over £12bn per year of savings if we adopt a buildings-focused energy strategy.
Then we spell out policy changes we think will drive an ambitious new agenda to make buildings an integrated part of the energy system with four steps:
First, an Energy in Buildings Strategy to join up the three existing Government strategies on Energy Efficiency, Microgeneration and Heat into a single over-arching and coherent policy framework for energy in our buildings
Second, we set out the imperative for using smart technology to make buildings an integral part of the energy system. In our energy scenario, a considerable saving comes from the widespread adoption of smart heating controls where home heating intelligently follows people’s real needs and we don’t waste energy heating buildings or rooms when they don’t need it.
Third, measures to transform the home heating market by finding ways to energise heating installers to become ambassadors and sales agents for a wide range of household energy measures, and by moving gradually, thoughtfully and carefully from subsidy to regulation to accelerate lower carbon heating options when it is cost effective to do so; many of you were at our inaugural event for this workstream this afternoon.
And fourth, we join 21 other organisations in an initiative led by the UK Green Building Council, calling for a major infrastructure-based energy refurbishment of Britain’s buildings, where the economic gains are more compelling, for example, than HS2 or a new London runway
This is an ambitious programme for change, and far too important to leave to party politics, because the prize for the country is substantial.
A more efficient economy, more money in people’s pockets, plus cost effectively reducing our carbon emissions + more building level low carbon and renewable heating + power.
What’s next?
But this scale of ambition needs strong leadership, and not only from the Department for Energy and Climate Change.
That’s why we are calling for these policies to be made a priority with drive and endorsement directly from No.10 and No.11 Downing Street, irrespective of who might occupy them from time to time. It is only with a cross-party consensus right from the top of all main political parties that we can realise the economic prize available for the country and in future avoid the hasty politics, for example, of last autumn’s green levies review.
So our call to all the political parties is to come with us on a journey of a fundamental refocus of energy policy, with buildings at its heart, and this manifesto as the start of a blueprint for delivery.
We are already engaged with the relevant politicians and party officials of all three mainstream political parties on this agenda, and the early signs are that it has been well-received. The forthcoming party conference season will be an important flagship moment in a very tightly organised campaign of engagement in the run-up to the election for the promotion of the case and policies we have set out.
The day job goes on…
Beyond this vital strategic narrative, we are also just as busy as ever on ongoing policy measure development work as well:
Yesterday saw Ofgem’s publication of the first 1,000 RHI installations – who and where they are, and there are specific policy developments to RHI – with third party financing constraints probably at the top of the list.
We have a mountain to climb in new build policy where the Government’s zero carbon homes policy truly lies in tatters after this morning’s confirmation that we will take new build standards less than half way to the zero carbon standard originally envisaged, and that large parts of the housebuilding market could be exempt from this.
We still await the final answer on ECO and continue to engage on this – a significant challenge given the diversity of our membership but nonetheless one where we have managed to reach a broad-based consensus.
The non-domestic RHI review kicks off this summer and we are spearheading attempts to get new technologies in on behalf of our members.
And we continue to engage in surgical strike policy fixes with recent examples including in areas such as certification requirements for the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund, and interpretation / clarification of VAT requirements for energy saving and low carbon / renewable technologies
Round off and thanks
If you are one of our (very welcome) guests here this evening, and any of this strikes a chord with you, I would strongly encourage you to join as members and get behind this crucial call for a refocus in energy policy direction.
I’d like to thank our members for their enthusiasm and support. Sometimes it would be nice if my phone stopped ringing and I could get some work done, but I say this in good spirit as we have an exceptionally rich dialogue with you all, which in turn keeps us well connected to the realities of the businesses facing the daily challenge of delivery, so please keep calling. A special thanks also goes to our Executive Members who set the strategic direction and sign off on all aspects of our policy. Their input in particular to the manifesto was forthright and constructive and the case studies really bring things to light.
And finally, a heart-felt thanks to the SEA team for their exceptionally hard work and support in a successful start to what will be a long journey, but one that will be very worthwhile.