Results of a survey of over 1,000 mortgage intermediaries found over 67 per cent believed that the UK will not be able to achieve its target of making all new homes carbon neutral within the next ten years.
Less than thirty homes in the UK are currently carbon neutral, but the Government wants all new properties to fall into this category by 2016 – just nine years away.
The survey also reveals that only 44 per cent of mortgage advisers think that the UK will be able to reduce its carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2050, even though the government’s actual target is an even bigger reduction of 60 per cent.
Keith Astill, managing director at UCB Home Loans, said: “The views of intermediaries are important, because they are responsible for arranging a large proportion of all home loans – including new build developments. They deal directly with homebuyers and so are ideally placed to make a judgment.
“Whilst part of the reduction in carbon emissions will need to come from industry, the research indicates that most people are not yet aware of the actions that they will need to take if the UK is to meet its targets on carbon emissions.”
Government figures show that the UK’s 21 million homes are responsible for 27 per cent of CO2 emissions.
The UCB Home Loans survey shows that the majority of mortgage advisers (98 per cent) believe that most homeowners do not know the size of their own carbon footprint, and a similar figure (94 per cent) say people do not know the best ways to reduce their carbon output.
Most (88 per cent) feel that we should modify our behaviour to counteract global warming. Over a quarter (27 per cent) think that we have left it too late, whilst 57 per cent say that there is still time left to do something about it. The remainder are unsure.
Two thirds (65 per cent) say that mortgage lenders should be taking action on green issues and a further 58 per cent say that mortgage intermediaries could also help to reduce carbon emissions. Over half (52 per cent) say that they have already taken measures on green issues within their own businesses.
Last week, UCB Home Loans announced the launch of a long-term programme of initiatives on environmental issues. Publications and an awareness campaign are planned for the coming months, including a consumer booklet advising property owners on the best ways of saving energy and reducing carbon emissions. The lender is already active on reducing its own carbon emissions and expects its operations to be carbon neutral in the near future.
Astill added: “Both lenders and homeowners need to devote greater attention to reducing energy wastage, and this is evidenced by the fact that all homes going on the market after 1 June will have their energy rating graded in the new Energy Performance Certificates, which will play a central role in the new HIPs packs.”
Home Information Packs (HIPs) become compulsory for all homes going on the market from 1 June onwards.
Most respondents to the UCB Home Loans survey believe that travel – one of the prime causes of carbon emissions – will increase worldwide over the next ten years, with 87 per cent saying they think there will be more flights and 77 per cent saying that the total number of miles driven in cars will increase.
