Energy efficiency a "win win" situation (North Tayside Liberal Democrats)

North Tayside Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

Energy efficiency a "win win" situation

February 18, 2009 12:00 AM

New Liberal Democrat plans to massively increase energy efficiency in homes up and down the country are "win-win" according to Scottish Liberal Democrat MEP Elspeth Attwooll, as they will help cut heating bills as well as save the environment.

The MEP for Scotland said:

"Some argue that we can't afford to make these improvements to homes because of the recession - but in reality we can't afford not to.

Insulating homes means lower bills. At the same time we are cutting down on energy waste, which helps the environment. It's a win-win situation.

We need a massive push towards energy efficiency in all buildings, not only in terms of heating systems but all household appliances, which again offer great potential savings for consumers and the environment.

The EU wants a 20% increase by the year 2020 and new eco-design regulations are in the pipeline to help achieve this, but the Scottish and UK governments must do much more to make sure this target is met."

END

Notes to editors:

• Liberal Democrats aim to bring all of Britain's 22million homes up to the necessary energy efficiency standards (SAP 81). The benefit of the Liberal Democrat plan is to ensure warm homes, lower fuel use, and fuel bills, and less harm to the planet.

• Warm Homes - An Opportunity Offered, which outlines the Liberal Democrats' proposals and Warm Homes - An Opportunity Missed, a critique of the Government's failures on home energy efficiency. For more information see www.libdems.org.uk.

• For more on the European Union's 20/20/20 by 2020 climate change package see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7765094.stm

• For more on the eco-design Directive see http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/eco_design/index_en.htm