Peter McCusker Energy & Climate

THE UK Government’s drive to green the nation’s energy profile as outlined in the recent Energy Bill will not be achieved through supply side changes only. The shift from carbon-based energy will need to be accompanied by a renewed emphasis on reducing domestic and commercial energy demand, it says. In tandem with last month’s Energy Bill the Government launched its Energy Efficiency Strategy which informs that energy consumption will have to fall by up to 50% per head of the population to hit 2050 greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. A 127-page report released at the same time, from consultants Rand Europe, highlights global initiatives aimed at cutting energy use. One example saw a community of around 300 households in San Marcos, California compile their own energy-use league table which led to the high-energy users reducing consumption. Rand highlight measures which adopt “intervention” strategies which target “high energy-use households” and “team-based app...