PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS (13 March 2001)

That this House is concerned at the huge increase in energy consumption in offices, where energy consumption grew by 65 per cent. from 1973 to 1996, faster than in any other sector of the economy, and is projected by the EC to exceed growth in all other sectors except transport; notes that because 90 per cent. of offices are leased or rented, there is no incentive to improve the building fabric as energy costs are paid by tenants and not the landlord, nor any incentive for tenants who do not own the building; believes that further policy initiatives are necessary to persuade and assist freeholders in improving the energy efficiency of offices and congratulates those forward-thinking property owners such as Prudential Property Portfolio for their call for commercial properties to undergo mandatory energy audits every five years, with recommendations to be implemented before the next audit; and believes this will save energy, helping to combat climate change and create jobs.

Sponsored by:
Clive Efford (Labour)