Would a home infomation pack product within the commercial sector help to reduce carbon emissions?

Evidence emerged over the weekend that confirmed the belief held by many working in the commercial property sector that only around 1 out of every four commercial properties are sold or leased with an energy performance certificate.

The study conducted by the accreditation agency Elmhurst concluded that only 28 per cent of commercial buildings marketed for sale or lease carry the legally required EPCs.

Gavin Dunn, operations director of Elmhurst Energy, said the drive "is very much part of an attempt within the European Union and the UK to move towards decarbonising the economy. We need to reduce the energy consumption of every building, and the first step is to get the information about their efficiency'.

Non compliance at this level must raise grave doubt about the country's ability to meet a European Union target of reducing emissions by at least 20 per cent by 2020. Nearly one-fifth of UK emissions come from business and industry.

This also illustrates the major problem the Country would face in the domestic market if the Conservative Party proceeds with its intention of removing the home information pack. It is clear that the HIP has proved to be an effective mechanism for the delivery of the domestic EPC and has helped to achieve a major contribution towards the reduction of carbon emissions. In Northern Ireland where there is no HIP one out of every two properties are marketed without an EPC.

Asked about the high level of non compliance within the commercial market Grant Shapps, the Shadow Housing Minister is reported to have said:

"If we're going to meet our legally binding climate-change targets, then we'll need to see urgent action. We know that meeting the challenge of climate change requires thousands of small steps to be taken. We will start by recognising the energy performance of all buildings, domestic or commercial."

Not very reassuring, and as we have seen in other areas, there is little detail of what the Conservatives would do instead. Grant Shapps should first consult with the Law Society and find out why so many lawyers are exposing themselves and their firms to possible negligence claims by allowing their clients to become legally committed to a transaction without first ensuring the energy rating is in place.

Why not also increase the fine for non compliance from £5,000 to £50,000?

The time has come for present or future government to get tough and to begin taking energy ratings and carbon emissions seriously. Unfortunately with news that many Conservative MPs do not rate carbon emission reduction high on their political agenda, and with Grant Shapps finding it difficult to see and recognize the importance of the role of the HIP, the future for effective energy savings under a Conservative Government does not appear too hot!