Record CO2 saving through CERT Scheme

Green support services company Eaga has helped save more than 1,000,000 tonnes of CO₂ in the UK since June 2008 through its work with energy suppliers.

The Newcastle-based business helps deliver Carbon Emission Reduction Target (CERT) commitments for all six major utilities.

It has installed more than 52,000 loft and cavity wall measures over the past six months, cutting an estimated 1,000,000 tonnes of CO₂ from annual UK household emissions. Over 70% of those to benefit have been priority households over the age of 70 or in receipt of benefits.

As well as insulation, Eaga is fully managing various pilots to install external wall insulation and renewable energy sources, such as solar heating and air or ground source heat pumps, to hard-to-treat homes in rural areas off the gas network. It is also distributing a unique water-saving device that can be fitted to showers and low energy light bulbs to thousands of households every week – again helping to cut carbon and energy bills.

Michael McMahon, Managing Director for Eaga Installation Services, said: “Legally binding targets under the Climate Change Bill to cut the UK’s CO₂ emissions by 80% are clearly focusing minds on greener homes. In September the Government also announced it was raising CERT by 20% – taking the overall spend by the energy companies to well over £3.3 billion between 2008 and 2011.

“Our nationwide delivery platform and detailed knowledge of the thermal efficiency of more than a quarter of the UK’s housing market positions us ideally to deliver these obligations. Alongside CERT, the development of the Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP) should also provide further opportunity for us to offer more innovative carbon-saving solutions such as external wall insulation and renewables.”

As well as working with all six major energy suppliers, Eaga recently signed a ground-breaking agreement to manage and deliver the entire CERT obligation for Scottish Power.

In the important social housing sector Eaga also has approximately 200,000 boilers under contract for annual service visits and round-the-clock breakdown cover.

Notes to Editors
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

1. Eaga plc is a green support services and outsourcing company. It is also the UK’s largest residential energy efficiency provider.
2. Eaga was established in Newcastle in 1990 and operates across the UK and in the Republic of Ireland, India and Canada. It employs over 4,500 people.
3. Eaga works in partnership with central and local Government, all six major energy suppliers, local authorities, social housing providers and is increasing its share of the able-to-pay private market.
4. Since its inception, Eaga has made a positive difference to over 5 million disadvantaged households across the UK, by installing energy efficiency insulation and central heating.
5. Eaga holds the contract to deliver the £1.5 billion Warm Front programme in England, the cornerstone of government's target to eliminate fuel poverty.
6. Eaga was recently appointed by the BBC to deliver the Switchover Help Scheme to ensure eligible households can receive help making the switch from analogue to digital.
7. Eaga is committed to co-ownership and is one of only a handful of UK organisations where every employee with over a year’s service is entitled to a share in the success of the business.
8. Since 2000, Eaga has invested over £3 million in the independent Eaga Partnership Charitable Trust which funds research into solutions to fuel poverty.