The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) welcomed today’s announcement on the Green Homes, Warmer Homes strategy by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, which will see seven million homes benefit from affordable eco upgrades by 2020, and consequently generate up to 65,000 jobs in the green home industry.

Responding to the announcement, RIBA President Ruth Reed said:

“We need bold and decisive moves from Government if we are to meet carbon targets. Today’s announcement is a welcome step in improving the energy performance of our existing housing stock, which accounts for 28% of the UK’s carbon emissions.

“In the RIBA’s manifesto we call for 4 million homes to be retrofitted within the lifetime of the next Parliament. This announcement indicates that the Government has recognised the size of this challenge, and has sought to seize the opportunities that a major retrofit programme can bring, both in terms of significant carbon reduction and in the potential for job creation. We hope this receives cross party support.”