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M25 protesters

ENERGY efficiency is sometimes characterised as the ugly sister of climate mitigation, but reducing our consumption is key. While we cannot condone the actions of some members of Insulate Britain who have attempted to block the M25 for a fifth time, the cause is undeniably urgent. The Government has acknowledged that decarbonising how we heat our homes is a vital element of its plan for net-zero emissions by 2050. Yet the recent Green Homes Grant voucher scheme, launched in September 2020 and abruptly closed in March, is only the latest in a long line of under-performing efforts.

The explosion in wholesale gas prices is evidence that our continued reliance on imported fossil fuels not only hampers our climate goals, but also offers little protection against soaring prices. Whether heating or cooling our homes, we need to get serious about energy efficiency.

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2021-09-21T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-09-21T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://eveningstandard.pressreader.com/article/281767042364451

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