News: March 2012

Energy minister Greg Barker addressed a packed audience at Ecobuild last week on the topic of the Green Deal, facing some tough questioning from delegates following the handling of the Government's Feed-in Tariff cuts.

In a keynote speech on the opening day of the sustainable design, construction and built environment show, Barker re-committed the coalition to delivering the “Flagship” Green Deal programme in the Autumn, and was keen to confirm that there would be no “delay to its launch”.

Barker further announced he was removing a number of hurdles for organisations, particularly SMEs, wanting to become Green Deal providers.

Installers will no longer be required to submit a surety bond before becoming accredited. And the launch of a Green Deal ombudsman removes the obligation to arrange independent arbitration for disputes with customers.

Barker stressed that the scheme was “truly new” and unlike other energy-efficiency incentives that have gone before it, stating that it is not just about insulation, but an aspirational programme that delivers into the British homeowners’ desire to improve their properties.

He likened the Green Deal to the Housing Act of 1980, which gave council house tenants the right to buy the home they lived in from their local authority.

"It’s about putting consumers centre stage, and giving people the opportunity to invest in their homes – something that is part of the British DNA.”

He also cited the importance of community backed schemes to generate enthusiasm for the Green Deal citing projects in the East Riding and Salford which transformed entire streets.

"I’m delighted to be here at the Ecobuild conference,” Barker told the packed room. “We have come a long way since I spoke about the Green Deal at this conference last year. We are now entering the final stretch up to the launch of the Green Deal this autumn.

“When the Coalition was formed one of our first pledges was for this to be the Greenest Government ever. At the heart of this pledge - particularly given the tough economy we inherited - is energy efficiency.

“In a world of increasing energy prices, market volatility and rising energy imports, energy efficiency has never been more important.

“That is why we are creating something brand new - the Green Deal. It is truly revolutionary. It will help homeowners, landlords and tenants get a whole range of home improvements beyond insulation, including a whole range of front of house, eye catching measures.”

The Green Deal, said Barker, would act as a catalyst to stimulate innovation so that more and more energy savings products come to the market. He highlighted three key points to unpack that simple description of the Green Deal, saying:

• Firstly, this is a brand new way of approaching energy efficiency. Not a continuation of CERT, CESP, not a son of this or daughter of that;
• Secondly, it will create a brand new market and opportunities for industry. A market for the aspirational, not just for the worthy or energy sensible;
• Thirdly, don’t underestimate the power of communities in their many shapes and forms. These will be key to delivering this agenda.
 
Read more at http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/ecobuild/ecobuild.aspx