According to the British voting public, UK political parties aren’t doing enough to prioritise sustainability[1] in the upcoming election. With nearly nearly two thirds (64 percent) of Britons saying that green issues should be one of the top priorities in the General Election[2], politicians who don’t are clearly out of step with public opinion. With 17% of heating emissions from buildings coming from homes in the UK[3], it is no wonder that these issues are important to the nation.
Such is the frustration with the misalignment in priorities, an industry-wide campaign calling on all parties to up their environmental agenda ahead of the General Election has been officially launched today.
Daikin UK – specialists in creating sustainable heating and cooling systems for the home – is spearheading the campaign and is urging all party leaders to commit to decarbonising homes. In an open letter addressed to political leaders and party-political candidates the managing director, Hiroyasu Ishikawa, has called for “clearly defined policies for domestic low carbon heating, incentives for installing low carbon heating solutions and greater investment in training.”
Daikin has created its own manifesto to inspire political parties and help the UK meet its legally binding 2050 net zero climate target. The call for policies includes ensuring all new homes are zero carbon from 2025 by introducing the Future Homes Standard, which would drive the phasing out of fossil fuel boilers in new homes – something two thirds (66 percent) of the nation would like to see happen as soon as possible[4].
The manifesto also calls on political candidates to commit to making the nation’s existing housing stock more energy-efficient by incentivising landlords, homeowners and housing associations to do so. This policy will be well-received by the 76 percent of Brits who would like to make their home more energy-efficient[5] but are put off by the high costs of materials (57 percent), expensive installation (42 percent) and lack of subsidy or assistance from the Government (28 percent). To address this, Daikin is calling for further financial support for property owners and tenants to make it more affordable to install low carbon heating.
The manifesto also tackles the 35,000 shortfall in low carbon heating installers by calling for an expansion in training and highlighting the need to educate consumers on the advantages of low-carbon heating. Eight in ten (86 percent) Brits agree that politicians have an obligation to explain to voters why green projects are beneficial both financially and environmentally, with 70 percent thinking that the Government must explain how low carbon heating systems work to encourage public take up.
Daikin’s ten-point manifesto is an actionable plan designed to speed up the transition to long-term affordable heating and comfort for all households.
National Residential Business Manager, Simon Chapman, says: “We all know we are facing a climate crisis, and the world is on the brink of irreversible climate change – yet there’s a sense of inaction with our political leaders. Over three quarters (78 percent) of voters do not believe the government is doing enough to get energy-efficient solutions, such as heat pumps, into British homes[6].
“Decarbonising our homes must be a priority for the next government – whichever party that may be. All political candidates must commit to making change happen by creating strong, purposeful manifestos that put the planet first.
“Everyone in the industry can show their support and get behind the campaign by signing the open letter. Together, we can make a difference.”
[1] Source: UK voter perspectives research by Prospectus Global, May 2024 (commissioned by Daikin UK)
[2] Source: UK voter perspectives research by Prospectus Global, May 2024 (commissioned by Daikin UK)
[3] House of Commons Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee Decarbonising heat in homes Seventh Report of Session 2021–22, evidence from Aldersgate Group (DHH0054)
[4] Source: UK voter perspectives research by Prospectus Global, May 2024 (commissioned by Daikin UK)
[5] Source: UK voter perspectives research by Prospectus Global, May 2024 (commissioned by Daikin UK)
[6] Source: UK voter perspectives research by Prospectus Global, May 2024 (commissioned by Daikin UK)
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