HC Deb 12 November 2003 vol 413 cc288-9W
Mr. Wiggin

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how she will double the rate of energy efficiency improvement in order to meet targets for 2020 set out in the Energy White Paper. [133255]

Mr. Bradshaw

The Energy White Paper makes clear that energy efficiency is expected to deliver about half the carbon savings needed to meet our carbon emission reduction goals for 2020. This will mean roughly doubling the rate of energy efficiency improvement of recent decades.

A wide range of policies and measures to encourage energy efficiency across the economy is already in place. including Climate Change Agreements, the work of the Energy Saving and Carbon Trusts to promote energy efficiency in the household and business sectors, the Energy Efficiency Commitment, UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), and updated Building Regulations.

Key measures proposed in the White Paper include extension of the Energy Efficiency Commitment beyond 2005 at possibly twice its current level of activity; further improvements in the Building Regulations, faster improvements in the standards of new household appliances; and consultation on economic instruments to improve household energy efficiency, as well as other measures for the business and public sectors.

The Government intend to publish an Energy Efficiency Implementation Plan within a year of the White Paper's publication, which will provide further detail on all of these policies.

Mr. Wiggin

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on plans to improve energy efficiency in the UK. [133283]

Mr. Bradshaw

The Energy White Paper details the steps being taken to encourage greater energy efficiency in the UK, and sets out an ambitious strategy for energy efficiency up to 2010 and beyond. Energy efficiency is expected to deliver about half the carbon savings needed to meet our goals for 2020. This will mean roughly doubling the rate of energy efficiency improvement of recent decades.

Key measures proposed in the White Paper include extension of the Energy Efficiency Commitment beyond 2005 at possibly twice its current level of activity; improvements in building standards through further revisions to the Building Regulations; and faster improvements in the standards of new household appliances.

The Government intend to publish an Energy Efficiency Implementation Plan within a year of the White Paper's publication, which will provide further detail on all of these policies.