Lewisham Sustainable Development Partnership Board Reducing Lewisham’s CO 2 footprint through insulation 21 April 2009 Martin O’Brien, London Borough of Lewisham

Statistics Lewisham’s CO 2 emissions: 4.77 tonnes per person. 44% of the borough’s CO 2 is from the domestic sector. Half the heat lost in a typical home is through its walls and loft. Loft insulation can save £150 and 1 tonne of CO 2 a year. Cavity wall can save £120 and 800kg of CO 2 a year.

Funding National funding for insulation comes through the ‘CERT’ scheme (Carbon Emissions Reduction Target). Grants offer free loft and cavity wall insulation to homeowners over 70 or on income-related benefits. Other privately owned properties get discounted insulation, typically £200 for loft or cavity wall insulation. London gets less than its share of CERT funding. New Community Energy Saving Programme, ‘CESP’, a £350m fund targeted at deprived communities and ‘hard to treat’ properties.

Current and planned activity Maximise take up of grants through events and general advice. Additional targeted activity, including the Energy Action Zone. ‘Self-generation’ scheme with London Warm Zones Direct mailing to all residents receiving income-related benefits. Free self-install loft insulation. Pilot social housing insulation retrofit.

Potential new initiatives Extend the pilot social housing insulation retrofit in partnership with ALMO and housing associations. Establish a locally-based insulation contractor increasing capacity within the borough and creating a source of local employment. New grant for ‘hard to treat’ properties aimed at the over 70s and people on income-related benefits. ‘Kirklees style’ mass insulation scheme offering free insulation across the borough. Retro-fit insulation to solid wall Council properties.