The UK government has announced a £1.8 billion investment to improve the energy efficiency of homes and public buildings across England. The funding is part of the government’s efforts to reach its net-zero emissions target by 2050 and create a greener future for the country.
The investment will be used to upgrade existing homes and public buildings with measures such as insulation, low-carbon heating, and double-glazing. This will not only help to reduce carbon emissions but also make homes and buildings more comfortable and affordable to heat.
The funding will be made available through several schemes, including the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, which will provide £932 million to upgrade public buildings such as hospitals and schools. The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund will provide £450 million to improve the energy efficiency of social housing, while the Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery Scheme will receive £500 million to support local authorities in upgrading homes in their areas.
The government estimates that these investments will create over 80,000 jobs in the green sector and save households up to £190 a year on their energy bills. In addition, the improvements will help to reduce carbon emissions by around 180,000 tonnes per year, equivalent to taking 100,000 cars off the road.
This investment in energy efficiency is part of the UK’s wider plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. The government has set out a ten-point plan to achieve this goal, which includes measures such as investing in low-carbon transport, developing hydrogen as a clean energy source, and supporting the development of new technologies to reduce emissions.
Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said, “This funding will help us build back greener, protect the environment and create new jobs, while also lowering energy bills. We must invest in the green technologies of the future if we want to remain a world leader in tackling climate change.”
Source: Gov[Dot]UK
