New research suggests energy efficiency in the home may not save energy
In a forthcoming special issue of the ‘Building Research and Information’ journal, researchers from the Carbon Reduction in Buildings (CaRB) Consortium present new evidence on how people use energy in buildings. It suggests that installing energy efficiency measures, such as double glazing, insulation and energy efficient boilers, seems to encourage householders to turn up the heat, leave the heating on for longer and heat more rooms. They attribute this to greater levels of concern about comfort than about energy savings. The researchers propose a more integrated approach to help meet the Government’s 80% emissions reductions targets. This would include: targeting national refurbishment strategies at larger homes and other types of property where the greatest gains in energy reduction can occur; changes to the design and marketing of building products and services to improve energy performance; and a social marketing programme to establish ‘social norms’ for reducing temperatures in overheated homes. More…
In a forthcoming special issue of the ‘Building Research and Information’ journal, researchers from the Carbon Reduction in Buildings (CaRB) Consortium present new evidence on how people use energy in buildings. It suggests that installing energy efficiency measures, such as double glazing, insulation and energy efficient boilers, seems to encourage householders to turn up the heat, leave the heating on for longer and heat more rooms. They attribute this to greater levels of concern about comfort than about energy savings. The researchers propose a more integrated approach to help meet the Government’s 80% emissions reductions targets. This would include: targeting national refurbishment strategies at larger homes and other types of property where the greatest gains in energy reduction can occur; changes to the design and marketing of building products and services to improve energy performance; and a social marketing programme to establish ‘social norms’ for reducing temperatures in overheated homes. More…
Defra’s Greener Society debate
Defra is hosting an online Greener Society debate to enable contributors to share their views on what a greener future might look like. Debate topics include: homes, shopping and eating, travel, the business world, and the environment. Take a look at the pages setting out some of the changes envisaged by Defra in these areas, and then add your comments. Visit the site…
Defra is hosting an online Greener Society debate to enable contributors to share their views on what a greener future might look like. Debate topics include: homes, shopping and eating, travel, the business world, and the environment. Take a look at the pages setting out some of the changes envisaged by Defra in these areas, and then add your comments. Visit the site…
Foresight Report – ‘Land Use Futures: Making the most of land in the 21st century’
The Foresight Programme has published its report on land use futures in the UK, a project which aimed to explore the future of land use in the UK in order to identify the most important challenges and opportunities and to consider what actions could be taken to manage land in a more sustainable way whilst unlocking its ‘value’. Challenges have been identified in three broad categories and five key requirements are highlighted for addressing these challenges. These requirements include: decisions take account of the full value of land in alternative uses; value is assessed on a consistent basis by decision-makers at different spatial levels and in different sectors; private incentives are aligned as far as possible with social objectives and values – to minimise tensions in the system and deliver better outcomes; opportunities for multifunctional land use and benefits are identified and promoted; and, a combination of regulatory, institutional and economic mechanisms are deployed to enable best value to be delivered most efficiently and at least cost. More…
The Foresight Programme has published its report on land use futures in the UK, a project which aimed to explore the future of land use in the UK in order to identify the most important challenges and opportunities and to consider what actions could be taken to manage land in a more sustainable way whilst unlocking its ‘value’. Challenges have been identified in three broad categories and five key requirements are highlighted for addressing these challenges. These requirements include: decisions take account of the full value of land in alternative uses; value is assessed on a consistent basis by decision-makers at different spatial levels and in different sectors; private incentives are aligned as far as possible with social objectives and values – to minimise tensions in the system and deliver better outcomes; opportunities for multifunctional land use and benefits are identified and promoted; and, a combination of regulatory, institutional and economic mechanisms are deployed to enable best value to be delivered most efficiently and at least cost. More…
Green Alliance Publication – ‘From hot air to happy endings’
How people understand climate change affects how supportive they are of policies to do something about it; the way politicians talk about climate change matters. Yet, what politicians say is only part of the story. People make decisions unconsciously and are influenced as much by what they see and experience as by what they hear. In this guide, Green Alliance argues that government should focus on the signals it sends out through what it does (its actions and policies), as well as what it says. They asked the experts to suggest the ways in which politicians could improve their communication and inspire stronger public support for action on climate change. In two parts, the guide first examines what is wrong with current efforts and then proposes how to get it right. While a communication strategy may not lead directly to behaviour change, it can help to reframe the debate on climate change, and shift public perception so that individual campaigns, incentives and legislation are more successful. More…
How people understand climate change affects how supportive they are of policies to do something about it; the way politicians talk about climate change matters. Yet, what politicians say is only part of the story. People make decisions unconsciously and are influenced as much by what they see and experience as by what they hear. In this guide, Green Alliance argues that government should focus on the signals it sends out through what it does (its actions and policies), as well as what it says. They asked the experts to suggest the ways in which politicians could improve their communication and inspire stronger public support for action on climate change. In two parts, the guide first examines what is wrong with current efforts and then proposes how to get it right. While a communication strategy may not lead directly to behaviour change, it can help to reframe the debate on climate change, and shift public perception so that individual campaigns, incentives and legislation are more successful. More…
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