NATIONAL ENERGY FOUNDATION
News Release

NEF welcomes the Royal Commission's report on Energy

The National Energy Foundation welcomed today's Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution report "Energy - The Changing Climate". This report, which has been three years in the making, recommends a 60% reduction in UK emissions of Carbon Dioxide (CO₂ - the main greenhouse gas) by the year 2050. This ambitious target will only be achieved if immediate action is taken at a national level to improve energy efficiency and create a more favourable climate for renewable energy.

"We must take action now, if we are to avoid catastrophic climate change with increased flooding in winter and drought in summer," Deputy Director Ian Byrne told Anna Ford in a live interview on BBC One's lunchtime news. "This can be done by requiring new homes to include features such as solar water heating, and improving the energy efficiency of older homes," he said. "It is easy for everyone to take action by adding extra loft insulation, filling cavity walls and switching to low energy light bulbs. Although this is not enough by itself, with additional Government support for the Energy Efficiency Advice Centres it is a useful start."

Gareth Ellis, manager of the Foundation's Renewable Energy section agreed that ordinary people could start taking action themselves. "We have recently started a Renewable Energy in the Home telephone Helpline," he said "so that it's possible to find out which renewable energy projects can be fitted into a typical UK house. This service, which is funded by the Government's Environmental Action Fund, is free for all callers - and can even be reached on a Freefone number: 0800 138 0889."

UK homes consume about 30% of the UK's energy and this proportion is increasing. If Britain is to play its part in reducing CO₂ emissions, the average home will have to use as little as a half of its current gas and electricity - but this should also mean greatly reduced bills!

For more information about:

• the Foundation's response to the Royal Commission Report, please call Ian Byrne or Gareth Ellis on 01908 665555
• improving energy efficiency in the home, please call your local Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800 512012
• renewable energy in the home, please call the Helpline on 0800 138 0889

16 June 2000

The National Energy Foundation: Registered in England - Charity No. 298951