Key facts
- New homes could be built without solar panels, heat pumps, and high-grade insulation if the Conservative party wins the next election.
- The cost of installing energy-efficient measures in new homes is estimated at £5,000 to £8,000, potentially saving over £1,300 annually on bills.
- The Green party will now support new nuclear reactors, prioritizing renewable energy.
- Labour announced a publicly owned body to invest in the energy grid.
- The UK Green Building Council stated the construction industry is prepared for the Future Homes Standard.
The UK's approach to climate action is facing uncertainty following shifts in policy discussions at recent party conferences. The Conservative party, led by Kemi Badenoch, has indicated a potential rollback of energy efficiency standards for new homes, a move that critics argue would lead to higher household bills and create long-term liabilities. Badenoch proposed scrapping the Future Homes Standard (FHS), which mandates energy-efficient features like solar panels and heat pumps. While the party cited estimates of £30,000 for these additions, experts suggest the actual cost is significantly lower, around £5,000 to £8,000, with substantial annual savings on energy bills. The UK Green Building Council noted that the construction industry is already prepared for the FHS, having invested in the necessary skills and supply chains.
In contrast, the Green party has decided to abandon its long-standing opposition to nuclear power, resolving to support new nuclear reactors alongside its continued prioritization of renewable energy. This decision has drawn criticism from some, like Paul Dorfman of the Nuclear Consulting Group, who believe it could alienate grassroots support and divert resources from faster renewable solutions. Meanwhile, at the Labour party conference, Andy Burnham made brief mentions of climate and nature crises, announcing plans for a publicly owned body to invest in the energy grid and a community fund for tree planting.
Campaigners warn that a failure to address climate breakdown, exacerbated by events like record heatwaves and the brewing El Niño system, will have significant consequences. Robbie MacPherson, a scholar at Harvard University, stated that environmental regression is not a winning political strategy, especially after recent energy price spikes and climate events. Greenpeace UK's head of politics, Ami McCarthy, highlighted that voters are looking for clear plans to lower energy bills and tackle the climate crisis, urging Labour to reject further fossil fuel exploration.