Support calls for green schemes

WWF Scotland says home energy use accounts for 33% of emissions

WWF Scotland has called for free loft insulation for every home in Scotland despite a £544m price tag.

The campaign group said this should be included in a "bold" package of measures in order to hit Scottish government climate change targets.

The Association for the Conservation of Energy also called for the Scottish government to follow the boiler scrappage scheme introduced in England.

Householders could receive £400 towards the cost of a new boiler.

WWF Scotland said urgent action is needed to achieve the government's target to reduce carbon emissions by 42% by 2020.

It claimed the government's own figures showed current policies will only reach a 9% reduction by then.

'Massive price tag'

Elizabeth Leighton, senior policy officer for WWF Scotland, said: "Home energy use accounts for over a third of Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions, so if we are to meet the targets of 42% reductions by 2020 the Scottish government must act urgently to make all Scottish homes low carbon."

The environmental group is calling for free loft and cavity-wall insulation for everyone and "attractive and accessible" financial packages for more expensive measures.

It also wants house-by-house eco-refurbishment, across Scotland and led by local councils, on top of existing fuel poverty programmes, and a commitment to minimum energy-efficiency standards for private housing within five years, starting with the private rented sector.

It said that using Scottish government figures, the loft and cavity-wall measures will cost £544m: £388m for loft insulation and £156m for cavity-wall insulation.

Ms Leighton said: "The price tag sounds massive but it would be spread over a decade and the cash will come from mix of sources including energy companies, householders as well as the public purse."

Boiler replacement

The Association for the Conservation of Energy, (Ace) suggested the Scottish government would receive around £11.5m in additional funding for 2010-11 due to boiler scrappage and energy efficiency spending in England and Wales, under 'Barnett consequential' rules.

The campaigners have urged the Scottish Government to use this to help tackle fuel poverty and climate change emissions in Scotland.

Chas Booth from Ace said: "It's vital that Scots don't miss out on the energy savings which England will enjoy through this very welcome scheme.

"The Scottish government must move quickly to invest more in energy saving north of the border - whether that's through a similar cash-back scheme for efficient boilers or some other investment such as free insulation as part of the Home Insulation Scheme.

"Scotland cannot fall behind when it comes to saving cash and energy."