Energy efficiency and fuel poverty

Dr Brenda Boardman

Environmental Change Institute

University of Oxford

Scottish Parliament & SDC, 6.11.08

COLD HOMES

WARM PLANET

Additional income Better Worse

Fuel price rise (carbon tax) Worse Better

Direct capital investment in energy efficiency

Better Better

WARMER HOMES

COOLER PLANET

Policy choices

England vs Scotland

England

Scotland

Fuel poor 2005/6 (households)

1.5m (7%) 0.543 (24%)

Fuel poor 2006/7

2.4m (11%)

C/ household (tCO2) 5.7 6.2

Targeting the fuel poor

Over 60 with children others

Over 60

Fuel poor households Pensioner households

12% in fuel poverty

50%

Energy Performance Certificate

Distribution of efficiency

Transforming the housing stock

Fuel poverty and housing strategy

• Low Carbon Zones, first 50% fuel poor– One per local authority– SAP 81 by 2012

• Address-specific energy database, 2012

• Deal with other 50% by 2016

• Requires widespread provision of EPC

Policies to aid fuel poor

• Link Tolerable Standard with mandatory minimum standards

• 100% low-interest loans– If upgrade two bands

• New social housing for rent