APPENDIX 3: CALL FOR EVIDENCE
The Science and Technology Select Committee of the
House of Lords has appointed a Sub-Committee, chaired by Baroness
Perry of Southwark, to inquire into the Government's policies
on energy efficiency.
The Government's goal, set out in the 2003 Energy
White Paper,[113] is
to achieve a 20 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions
by 2010—half of this reduction is expected to derive from
energy efficiency. In the long-term the Government proposes to
reduce emissions by 60 percent by 2050. These are very ambitious
targets. In addition, the recent energy efficiency Action Plan[114]
estimates that there is potential to reduce energy use across
the economy by 30 percent.
The Committee invites evidence on the policies currently
in place, and on any other practical steps necessary, in order
to achieve the Government's targets. We are interested in the
following areas:
- The most appropriate measure of
energy efficiency, and the relationship between improvements in
energy efficiency and overall energy use and carbon emissions.
- The behavioural aspects of energy
efficiency schemes—the quantity and quality of information
available on energy efficiency, and whether the public is sufficiently
knowledgeable and motivated to achieve energy savings.
- The scope and incentives for improving
energy efficiency, and reducing waste, across the economy, in
both private and public sectors.
- The potential for technological
improvements to the energy efficiency of new and existing buildings,
and how these should be implemented.
- The development and promotion
of energy-efficient consumer goods.
- Innovative schemes to use district
heating or combined heat and power in order to reduce overall
energy demand.[115]
- The funding and co-ordination
of research into energy efficiency measures in the domestic and
industrial sectors, and how well research is transferred into
applications.
Please note that in light of recent inquiries by
the House of Commons Environmental Audit and Transport Select
Committees, on aviation and "cars of the future" respectively,
the Committee will not be looking at transport in this inquiry.
113 Our energy future-creating a low carbon economy,
presented to Parliament in February 2003 (Cm 5761). Back
114
See http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/energy/review/index.htm. Back
115
The Committee will not be addressing trading arrangements for
established CHP generation. Back
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