Residents are being asked to give their views on proposals to improve the energy efficiency of Cornish homes and lower their emissions.
They can fill in a survey as part of Cornwall Council’s public consultation for its Draft Housing Decarbonisation Strategy.
The plan outlines short, medium and long-term actions needed to make homes in Cornwall more energy efficient and to reduce their carbon emissions.
It sets out key principles, targets and a possible timeline to help the council, homeowners and tenants start to decarbonise their homes.
The document, including an easy read version, can be read at:
Residents can give their views from now until September 16, 2024.
Cllr Olly Monk, Cornwall’s cabinet member for housing, said:
“Cornish housing on the whole is less energy efficient compared to the rest of the country and across the south west. But we are starting to see some real positive steps in the amount of renewable energy measures being installed to homes, through retrofitting and other improvements to make homes warmer, greener and cheaper to run.
“Recent data from MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) which certifies the installation of small-scale renewable energy measures suggests that 15% of Cornish households have an MCS certified renewable installation, including solar panels, heat pumps and battery storage.
“By adopting a strategy we can identify ways to reduce emissions from Cornish housing on a mass scale and give us the evidence we need to attract funding that could allow us to deliver housing improvements. It will also provide a focus on collaborative working to achieve shared goals.
“We’d like to hear from as many of you as possible, whether you own a home or are renting, about what you think we need to consider in our journey towards making our homes more energy efficient and less carbon emitting.”
Cllr Martyn Alvey, Cornwall’s cabinet member for environment and climate change, said:
“Our homes account for over 20% of our total emissions in Cornwall so play a big role in our aim to become carbon neutral.
“There are important health and long-term financial benefits for everyone in making our homes more energy efficient as well as supporting skills, training and employment in our growing green economy.”
There are two online information sessions on the Draft Housing Decarbonisation Strategy on Tuesday 16 July, 10am – 11.30am, and Thursday 18 July 2pm – 3.30pm. Anyone can join the meetings by emailing HousingDecarbonisation@cornwall.gov.uk to book a place on the session you would like to join.
Story posted July 5, 2024