Personalised energy efficiency support can help everyone participate in Green Deal

The Commission for Climate Change (CCC) have today called for major policy changes to meet the UK’s climate change targets - which, given the issue seemed to have fallen down the agenda at the recent G20 meeting - I feel is very timely.  I found Lord Adair Turner’s comments very interesting.  Lord Turner, Chair of the CCC, commented that the recession has created the illusion progress is being made to reduce carbon emissions, but a step change is needed in a number of areas, particularly home insulation, to secure a low-carbon future.  

Today also saw Chris Huhne at the Department for Energy & Climate Change demand energy suppliers work harder to insulate lofts and walls to ensure low-income households benefit from these measures, which can offer significant energy bill savings.

This is welcome news, but I would like to see energy efficiency advice for the most vulnerable get as personal as possible.  The question is, are energy suppliers best placed to provide this advice?  Groundwork has been helping people on low-incomes reduce their bills and get more heat for their money for several years, and have found that providing bespoke advice from someone they trust is a very effective way to change behaviour. 

As Lord Turner suggests, a lot of people have had to learn how to save energy because times are tight.  If the most vulnerable are given personalised support to understand how energy efficiency measures can save them money while also reducing carbon emissions, then that learnt behaviour is likely to continue when the economy picks up – and ensure as many as possible are able to participate in the Green Deal of the future.

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