In Focus

05 December 2008 04:03 BST

Green revolution

How can a government lead the way towards kick-starting a nationwide green industrial revolution?

Once the domain of environmental parties, this question now lies at the heart of all political groups and the current government is seeking ways to encourage greener lifestyles.

Environment minister Phil Woolas thinks the answer lies in engaging every person and sector in society and in providing incentives for a change in lifestyle.

He told inthenews.co.uk that the government's desired green revolution "involves all of us from the biggest power station to our homes, flats and workplaces".

So why should people change their lifestyles for the environment?

The government has its own reasons for reducing carbon emissions – both moral and legal.

It has set a target of cutting such emissions by 60 per cent by 2050 and the European Union expects greenhouse gas emissions to be slashed by 20 per cent within the next 12 years.

But helping the environment as well as the government to meet its energy targets does not just benefit the Earth and politicians; Mr Woolas argues that individuals can benefit financially if they live greener lifestyles.

He said the government is "changing the financial regime by giving carrots and sticks" to inspire greener lives.

Working with the Energy Saving Trust (EST), the government has also launched the Act on CO2 advice line to provide information on what changes people can make in their everyday lives.

"The British public, through the research that we have, show they are willing to act - they want to know what it is that they can do to help and what we're trying to do with the Energy Saving Trust and the Act on CO2 advice line is to provide them with that simple, straightforward information," Mr Woolas said.

"This not only helps them to reduce their carbon footprint but also saves them money on what are, of course, expensive energy bills. Everybody gains."

So what can people do to cut energy use in their homes?

Frances Galvanoni from the EST explained there are "a number of really simple things that people can do to make their homes more energy efficient".

These, she claims, include steps that "don't actually cost us any money at all – such as turning lights off when you leave a room and only boiling the water you need".

"The Act on CO2 advice line is really to give people free, impartial, tailored advice so that regarding their lifestyle, what type of house they live in, in what type of area we're able to give them the information they need to make the best green choices," Ms Galvanoni told inthenews.co.uk.

"We see the Act on CO2 advice line as being pivotal in turning awareness and commitment into action."

She added that buying energy saving lamps could save £7 a year and cavity wall insulation could help people save £90 a year on heating bills.

With the emphasis on what the individual can do it seems fair to ask if the government is practicing what it preaches.

Mr Woolas said people should be reassured that the government is placing obligations on itself.

"The government is organising across all of the different departments how we produce electricity - moving from dirty coal to clean and renewable energy; changing the way in which we provide energy for our buildings and computers; making sure that we're using water in a more efficient way; and changing what we do in our homes," he added.

"Putting all of that together is a huge and complex task but that is what the government is doing and in the next Budget in March we will provide the financial, carbon budgets as to how this is going to move forward."

For more information on how to save energy in the home visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
or call the Act on CO2 advice line on 0800 512 012.

Carolyn Robertson