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Government should legislate for green gas boilers, says EUA

Policymakers should bring in legislation to mandate green gas compatible boilers rather than introducing a blanket ban on gas heating appliances in newbuild homes, the Energy & Utilities Alliance (EUA) has said.

The comments come ahead of the publication of the Net Zero Report from Government advisory body the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), which is expected to recommend replacing the current target of ‘reducing the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80 per cent by 2050’, with a target of ‘net zero emissions’ between 2040 and 2060.

Mike Foster, CEO of the EUA, says: “The gas boiler is not the enemy in the fight against climate change, but an ally. It’s the use of methane that releases carbon, and that needs to be phased out. Using low or zero carbon gas in our homes – such as biomethane or hydrogen – will keep our homes warm, meet our cooking needs and keep bills down, as well as saving the planet.

“The gas infrastructure is already in place for nearly nine out of 10 homes through our world-leading gas network. What Government should do is to legislate for green gas compatible boilers to replace existing stock. This can then be phased in over a number of years, delivering the carbon reductions we need to make without any major disruption to peoples’ lives.

“The products are already being tested, just waiting for the go ahead. It would be simply crazy to call for an end to a product that holds the key to solving a global challenge. More so, if the alternative is to go backwards to expensive and impractical electric storage heaters.”

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