Abstract

In October 2008, the UK government announced the goal of an 80% reduction in CO2 emissions relative to 1990 levels. This figure relates to the entire UK emissions, not only emissions from the built environment. However, since between 66% and 80% of the existing housing stock will still be standing in 2050, the emissions from the existing housing stock will have to reduce by a similar amount. There are currently approximately 25 million dwellings in the UK [1]. These were responsible for emissions of 41.7 MtC (metric tonnes of carbon) in 2004. This represented 27% of the total UK carbon emissions that year. The UK has the oldest building stock in the developed world [2]. This paper will examine two broad topics in this wider-reaching field: reducing emissions from electricity production and reducing electricity use within the UK housing stock. It specifically focuses on the barriers that could hinder reaching the target, and evaluates what measures need to maintained or added.