Knauf Insulation sponsored the UK Green Building Council’s (UKGBC) conference, Towards Green Deal 2.0, in London - one year on from the launch of the Government’s Green Deal and ECO schemes.
The half-day conference brought together government and industry representatives across the supply chain, including Knauf Insulation’s Managing Director, John Sinfield - exploring how the lessons learned so far can be used as a springboard for the retrofit industry.
John commented: “I was asked to the conference to talk about the impact of the transition of Green Deal and ECO on the industry. Quarter one of 2013 was good and still had a good level of activity, as energy companies completed mitigation action from the CERT and CESP schemes. 7
However, from quarter two onwards there was a massive drop in activity for all fabric measures - not only for loft and cavity wall installations, but for solid wall as well. Remember, that these are the solid wall installations that were due to be driven by Green Deal and ECO, taking the place of loft and cavity measures and driving the investment in jobs.
“In regards to ECO, I find it perverse that the recent political move to reduce the targets for solid wall properties will emasculate the only programme that is delivering long-term cuts in energy bills, not just in one year but for every year the homeowner is in the property.”
Greg Barker MP, Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change, and Jonathan Reynolds MP, Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change also joined the conference and delivered keynote addresses.