Meeting the latent demand for low carbon housing? Constraints on consumer choice of housing in the UK

Panel: Panel 2. Comfort and energy use in buildings

Author:
Heather Lovell, University of Cambridge

Abstract

Since privatisation and liberalisation of the UK energy industry, domestic consumer choice has diversified. Green electricity consumer products are now offered by several energy utilities. This paper examines the extent to which low carbon housing has developed in the UK as a new product in a similar way to green electricity. Low carbon housing is defined as housing that results in a significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (principally carbon dioxide) over the course of its lifetime.

The production of housing and energy in the UK is now mainly carried out by commercial organisations. If there was significant consumer demand for green products, one would anticipate that these organisations would respond. This paper will show, however, that in contrast to the availability of green electricity in the energy sector, latent consumer demand for low carbon housing is not being met. It is argued that producers have developed green products, or not, according to the extent to which they challenge their existing mode of operation.

Evidence will be presented from a study of the organisations involved in low carbon housing in one region of the UK, the East Midlands, as well as from national surveys. Commercial housing producers have not initiated low carbon housing in the East Midlands to date, but rather have responded on an ad hoc basis to public sector sustainability criteria. One exception is discussed: a commercial house builder who builds only low carbon housing.