Local govt encouraged to focus on issues like renewable energy

Written by Andrew Marshall.

Local authorities are being encouraged to focus on issues like renewable energy in order to lower the carbon emissions produced in the UK.

The recent Local Action on Climate Change Summit, which was backed by Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homes, saw the government''s communities secretary John Denham make a number of points concerning climate change.

Mr Denham noted that local authorities may have money available to spend on renewable energy resources if they give their support to plans for homes which are low carbon.

He said: ''Councils already play a crucial part in making the shift to a low carbon economy but there is capacity for them to go further than their current responsibilities.''

Meanwhile, John Healey, the country''s housing minister, has recently highlighted the importance of making domestic properties greener, in order to address environmental issues.

It is also thought that people may face lower energy bills if their houses are more energy efficient.