Yo, Dave! Where’s The Eco Carrot?

“If we find out that our neighbours, or households similar to ours, are using half as much energy as we are, then we’re much more likely to bring our own consumption down in line.

“So I can announce today that a Conservative Government will make sure every gas and electricity bill contains information that allows each household to compare their energy consumption with other households.”

David Cameron, in a speech yesterday to mark the launch of the Tories Blue/Green Charter, thinks neighbourly pressure is the way to encourage energy efficiency.

Not so sure I agree, Dave.

Energy consumption is, one would imagine, related to how energy efficient the house is.

If the Joneses earn more than the Smiths and can retrofit their Victorian semi with snazzy solar panels, mohair insulation, triple-glazing, and all manner of energy-saving gizmos, does that make them eco saints? Or just better consumers of green technology?

What About EPCs?

And where does this leave Energy Performance Certificates? EPCs, a mandatory requirement for all property sales, provide people with lots of information about their homes.

But EPCs also fail to deliver because most people don’t act on the information – well, would you, if it meant frittering savings on a house you were about to sell? Money you’re unlikely to recoup in the sale?

Encouraging consumers to do their eco bit is all well and good, but I can’t help feeling that you’ll only get people to make their homes more energy efficient if you combine the big sustainably-sourced stick with the juicy chemical-free carrot.

And that means mandatory regulations, such as EPCs, and economic incentives … such as grants, stamp duty rebates, a reduction in VAT on the implementation of energy efficiency measures …

The Cameroonians have no plans to scrap EPCs - but if they want to make them work, it will take more than information about our neighbours’ gas bills.

What say ye? Let me know…

• Straight ‘A’ Landlords (1)