Millions of pounds in funding for new eco-measures in Yorkshire homes

A multi-million pound package of funding has been secured for a host of environmentally-friendly improvements to homes in a bid to tackle one of the biggest challenges in the battle against climate change in North Yorkshire.

A bid for funding from the Government has led to a windfall of £8m being provided to boost energy efficiency in properties in some of the county’s districts which are worst affected by problems such as poor quality insulation.

Carbon dioxide emissions from homes in North Yorkshire ranks as the second highest after transport, and a concerted drive has been launched to bring in a raft of improvements in the county’s housing stock.

Cllr Greg White, who is the executive member for both stronger communities and climate change for North Yorkshire County Council, said: “If we are to reduce both fuel poverty and carbon dioxide emissions, we need to both radically improve home insulation and switch households to cleaner, sustainable and more energy efficient heating.

Emissions from domestic properties in North Yorkshire are 1,058 kilotonnes carbondioxide equivalents (ktCO2e) in 2019, which equates to 23 per cent of total emissions.

The county council’s executive member for health and adult services, Cllr Michael Harrison, said: “This funding will not only provide a vital new stream of revenue for much-needed improvements to homes to help tackle carbon emissions and make the properties more energy efficient, but it will also help improve the health of residents.

“The improvements will mean homes are heated more efficiently allowing residents to be able to keep warm and ensuring energy bills do not escalate even further, freeing up household finances so that money is available, for instance, to provide decent meals.

North Yorkshire County Council is working with energy experts from YES Energy Solutions to help residents qualify for the scheme. During the last financial year, YES Energy Solutions transformed the energy efficiency of more than 2,900 homes, cutting customer fuel bills by £36m over the lifetime of the improvements installed.

To qualify for the new scheme, residents must have a household income of £30,000 or less, or receive means-tested benefits. Properties must also be technically suitable for the measures available in the scheme and have a low energy efficiency rating.

North Yorkshire County Council has intensified its efforts to tackle the causes and impacts of global warming and members of the executive have officially declared a climate emergency. A new climate change strategy is being prepared to drive forward a host of measures to help dramatically reduce North Yorkshire’s carbon dioxide emissions.