The British government has published the UK’s emissions for 2006. Yes, 2006 not 2007, last year. The final figures for all greenhouse gas emissions in the UK in 2006 show that total greenhouse gas emissions were down 0.5 per cent on 2005 levels, while carbon dioxide (CO2), which makes up about 85 per cent of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions, stayed virtually the same (a 0.1 per cent fall).

The biggest decrease in CO2 emissions was in the residential sector, with a fall of four per cent on 2005 levels, along with a decrease of 1.6 per cent in the business sector. Other sectors increased, including energy supply (up by 1.5 per cent), transport (up by 1.3 per cent), and international aviation emissions, which increased by 1.5 per cent, due to an increased number of flights.

So, what are we to make of the figures, particularly in the domestic, our homes, sector? Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said that while the downward trend was positive, a much bigger change was needed.

“The UK is on track to meet and go well beyond its Kyoto commitments, but as a country we must do much more across the board. We have to make a real change to every aspect of our lives and our economy. The Government is taking steps to make that happen.

“That’s why we’ve introduced the Climate Change Bill in Parliament, which will set a target to cut carbon dioxide emissions by at least 60 per cent by 2050, and are looking at whether that target should be stronger still. That’s why we’re reforming the planning system to remove barriers to renewable energy and backing new nuclear power generation. And that’s why we’ll play our full part in fulfilling the EU’s clear commitment to build a low carbon economy in Europe.”

The economy grew another 2.9 per cent in 2006, meaning that the UK is continuing to break the historic link between economic growth and growth in emissions. Mr Benn said that the decrease in emissions from the residential sector, coming on top of a similar decrease in 2005, was a hopeful sign.

“The fall in household emissions for the second year in a row is very encouraging. People are much more aware of their impact on the climate than they were even a few years ago, and I’m hopeful that these figures will become a continuing trend as we all increase our efforts to cut our carbon footprints at home.”

We at whatgreenhome.com broadly agree that the signs are encouraging, but they are going to have to perform even better over the next few years if we are to meet the ‘60/50’ target. We think that emissions figures for 2007 will truly demonstrate whether we are beginning to arrest climate change because 2007 was the year that global warming became an everyday and everyman issue.

Al Gore’s film An Inconvenient Truth went global and he won a share of the Nobel Peace Prize. The polar bear became an icon of climate change, and even the US government acknowledged that the issue was a real one. At home, several government sponsored bodies stepped up their presence, and we have even seen the first TV ads in the UK. Changes are beginning to happen but not quickly enough.

So once again, we call for the removal of VAT (or a reduction to five per cent) on the installation of energy-efficient home improvements; the reduction in council tax for properties with a high energy-efficiency rating; and the introduction of feed-in tariffs for micro-generation schemes, such as, electricity generated from photovoltaic cells that is sold back to the power companies.

On that note it is one month to last Friday, 8 February, since we wrote to the prime minister, leader of the opposition, minister for communities and local government, and the shadow minister, as well as our local MP, to inform them of the result of the poll conducted on whatgreenhome.com.

For the record, 92.1% of those who registered in our poll said the British Government is NOT doing enough to encourage energy saving measures in our homes.

To date we have had one reply – from the prime minister’s office – saying they would pass on our letter to minister for communities and local government – who we had said in our letter to them we would be writing to! Not really a very impressive example of democracy in action, is it? Watch this space for more news from the powers that be – but don’t hold your breath.