The Renewable Energy Centre stated today that despite all the warnings and publicity surrounding climate change the UK population is still far behind Europe when it comes to energy saving in the home.

A survey released last week revealed shocking statistics that environmentally friendly features came seventh in the overall list of priorities for people looking to build a property.

Norwich and Peterborough Building Society (N&P) issued a survey to its customers to find out what would be important to them if they could build a house to their individual requirements. Top of the list were designer kitchens and en-suite bathrooms or wet rooms while below environmentally friendly features were dressing rooms and wireless technology. Another report issued by Hamptons International which surveyed people in London looking to buy homes, revealed that 67% did not think energy saving features were important to their decision making.

The Renewable Energy Centre.co.uk said these figures came as no surprise despite the advent of the energy performance certificates and ongoing publicity about the environment. It commented that the only way forward in order for people to take action, is for the government to introduce legislation and tax incentives for green initiatives.

Much of the UK's carbon emissions come from existing housing stock and although the energy rating of a property should now be a deciding factor for buyers it is clear there is still a long way to go. The Renewable Energy Centre stated that on the surface the public interest in greener living appears very positive, for example in the N&P survey 89 percent of people agreed with the government's emissions targets for 2016 and 81 percent said they would install energy saving technologies in a house made to order. However, in practice the pubic are clearly not willing to invest in renewable technologies mainly for reasons of cost, inconvenience and aesthetics.

The Renewable Energy Centre stated that this was typical of public opinion regarding energy saving. Richard Simmons, Managing Director said "Changing people's mind set is simply too hard. People understand the need for energy saving but will not put their own hand into their pocket to achieve it. I was at a meeting last week where an example was given regarding smoking. The government has for many years tried to re-educate people about smoking, most of a packet is taken up with health warnings. However last year 286,000 people died from smoking related diseases and there still remains a large portion of the public continuing to smoke. Climate change is regarded as less of a risk than smoking, what hope does the government have of changing opinion. Change will not happen unless people can get gain something financially or they are forced to do it. I believe the government should push legislation and incentives forward for some of the easier solutions, such as insulation, solar heating and car usage."

The Renewable Energy Centre said it supported the steps the government has taken thus far but strongly recommended a specific and strategic set of incentives to bring the UK forward as a country committed to reducing carbon emissions both at the individual and national level. It commented that introducing some policies might be unpopular but strong leadership and tough legislation would bring about significant change and have a positive effect on climate change.

The Renewable Energy Centre is currently the market leader in providing online information across eleven renewable energy technologies and is committed to promoting UK businesses in the sector.

For more information visit: http://www.therenewableenergycentre.co.uk

Notes for Editors
The Renewable Energy Centre: Saving Money, Saving Energy and Saving the Planet
www.therenewableenergycentre.co.uk
The Renewable Energy Centre is committed to informing all online users about energy saving and renewable energy in order to:
• increase public awareness through accurate and informative resources
• create business opportunities throughout the UK through its local and national directories
For more information:
Contact: Angela Gallacher (Head of Press & Marketing)
Email: info@therenewableenergycentre.co.uk
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Telephone: 01926 865835