The Property and Energy Professionals Association (PEPA), a trade body representing business engaged in the provision of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Display Energy Certificates (DECs), has urged Government to reconsider its plans to fully introduce the Green Deal in October this year.
In its response to the Green Deal consultation, PEPA expressed a number of concerns over current plans for non-domestic buildings. As a result, PEPA is asking Government to consider a staged introduction of its flagship green policy.
PEPA believes that the consultation document still has a number of unanswered questions and unresolved issues relating to how the Green Deal caters to non-domestic buildings. Therefore, PEPA has urged Government to implement the framework for domestic buildings as scheduled but delay the introduction of non-domestic framework until potential issues have been addressed.
PEPA worked closely with Government and industry players during the consultation process and is a strong proponent of the scheme. The Association’s Chairman, Stephen O’Hara said: “We are strongly behind the Green Deal and the significant improvements that it could make to the energy efficiency of the UK’s buildings. However, with such a pivotal new framework, it is imperative that the Government gets it right from the off-set. It was evident from the recent consultation process that while plans for domestic properties are well advanced; there are still a number of unanswered questions relating to non-domestic properties. As such, we feel that more time needs to be spent to address these concerns and to make any necessary revisions.
“However, rather than delay the whole introduction unnecessarily, we are urging the Government to go ahead with the framework for domestic buildings as planned, while introducing the scheme for non-domestic buildings at a later date. This approach will allow homeowners to begin benefiting from the new framework as soon as possible, while allowing the Government more time to ensure that plans for non-domestic homes are robust, before they are introduced.”
PEPA’s calls for a staged implementation are not without precedent; when the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) was introduced in 2007, it was first made mandatory for domestic buildings, followed by non-domestic buildings at a later date.