Gaps in Regulation and Policies on the Application of Green Technologies at Household Level in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Green technologies (Green-Tech) are solutions aiming to mitigate or reverse the effects of human activity on the environment. The United Kingdom (UK) government established a Ten-Point Plan and over GBP 5 billion to support Green-Tech to lay the foundations for a green industrial revolution and reduce emissions by 180 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) by 2032. Households and buildings contribute around 40% of the UK’s total GHG emissions, which implies that key actions are needed in all areas around the building sector (Point 7). This study provides an overview and analysis of the existing regulation and standards in the UK building/household sector, to understand the current state-of-the-art and identify gaps preventing Green-Tech wider implementation and use. Discrepancies in regulation and standards were identified. Given that households bring together and adhere to numerous standards and regulations, the analysis highlighted that it is critical to formulate relevant actions starting from the individuals with engagement and information. Complete and clear guidelines addressing environmental awareness, the performance and economical convenience of Green-Tech implementation and related regulations, are required to come to a consensus on the best way to move forward to achieve sustainability and NET-ZERO targets.