Well, there can be absolutely no doubt that politics has an enormous effect on climate change. The last few weeks have been staggering by anyone’s standards.
As I write this there are demonstrations in Valencia where over 100,000 protestors have taken to the streets taking a stand against the authorities who they believe have failed in their handling and response to the deadly floods that caused unbelievable devastation and loss of life in their beautiful city. 200 people died in the flooding and 80 people are still missing.
The Mediterranean Sea is warming up. It is actually becoming too hot due to climate change.
And these temperature rises are beginning to take a devastating effect.
Climate change is real, and lives are being lost.
Energy-efficient homes can command up to 14% higher prices
George Clarke TV presenter, architect, writer and Ecodan Ambassador
An existential problem
While these changes are happening, government and politics seems to be changing too. So many governments are putting growth before the environment.
The fact is under our global economic system we need growth to continue growing our economies to meet the demands of a growing population and the need of big business to make big profits.
Balancing economic growth with our attempts to create a green and sustainable Planet seems to be our biggest problem.
Some would say it is an existential problem.
Turbulent times
In the UK things have been turbulent to say the least. High inflation and rising interest rates have hit new house building hard. Numbers have dropped dramatically, and this has had a tough impact on the entire industry and it’s supply chains.
The European heat pump market saw a notable downturn in 2023, marking the first reverse in sales trends after a decade of continuous growth.
The cost-of-living crisis means fewer people have the means to buy or invest in environmental upgrades to their existing home and a reduction in the new homes being built means companies who supply innovative green products are having a difficult time.
What about the budget?
The recent UK government budget made an enormous commitment to building new homes, particularly a large number of affordable homes and sustainability featured heavily, which has to be welcomed.
New green home grants were introduced for homeowners and landlords to improve energy efficiency, but in these difficult times we have to be honest and question just how much take-up there will be to make the most of these grants.
A bit of good news is that the Energy Saving Trust has recently published some research that shows energy-efficient homes can command up to 14% higher prices than less efficient homes.
Maybe this will serve as an incentive for us to make our homes as green as possible?
But, the initial funds need to be there in the first place for people to make that investment.
Growth is good!
I’ve said many times before in this blog that ‘growth’ need not be a bad thing.
Growing a GREEN ECONOMY is an amazing opportunity.
While our new government and chancellor are calling for ‘growth’ the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned recently that public investment in new technologies and the energy transition is “badly needed”, in order to drive the growth the UK economy is desperately looking for.
I couldn’t agree more!
With the recent (small) drop in interest rates and with inflation coming down to sensible levels, combined with the Chancellor’s commitments to green energy and sustainable homes, I’m hoping the UK home building industry will see positive changes as we move into a new year.
George Clarke is a TV presenter, architect, writer and Ecodan Ambassador
