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2

Energy Efficient

Product Guide

With buildings contributing 47 per cent of the UK’s total

carbon emissions, the government has set a goal to cut

carbon emissions by 20% from 1990 levels by 2010,

exceeding the 12.5% reduction outlined in the Kyoto

Protocol.

The Kyoto Protocol is the first international treaty to set

legally binding emission reduction targets on developed

countries. Targets will reduce an overall emissions basket of

six greenhouse gases. The European Union and its member

states agreed to meet a joint target of an 8% reduction.

This arrangement allows the EU’s target to be redistributed

between member states to reflect their national circumstances

and requirements for economic growth.

The UK Government made a commitment to the European

Union’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. This

Directive sets out objectives to promote the introduction of

cost effective measures, including renewable energy systems,

to improve the energy performance of new and existing

buildings, in which it recognises that the largest potential

energy savings lies with existing building stock. The directive

saw the introduction of Energy Performance Certificates in

all buildings, which started with the sales of homes back in

June 2007.

Awareness of environmental issues and the need to reduce car

considerably in recent years.

With various government targets in mind,

around energy consumption, the environment and sustainability, it is now

alike understand how they can have an effect on the efficiency and environm