Architects’ concern about the Green Deal

The Royal Institute for British Architects (RIBA) has raised concerns that significant Green Deal obstacles need to be resolved for it to work in practice.

Anna Scott-Marshall, RIBA head of external affairs, said: “To stop it failing at the first hurdle the government needs to ensure that the outstanding issues raised in the consultation are tackled.”

The main items raised by the RIBA are:

The scheme must deliver an integrated approach to the installation of energy efficiency measures, which will require Green Deal project managers.

Vulnerable historic and traditional older buildings should be identified and given skilled specialist attention to find the most appropriate solutions.

Consumer protection is vital to ensure consumer confidence in the scheme. We believe that consumer-facing guidance is needed to deal with issues around the consents that must be obtained – such as planning permission – before measures can be installed. The impartiality of advice given to consumers must not be at risk.

We believe Green Deal funding must be delivered in ways that maximise initial take-up and that create solutions to incentivise long-term take-up.

The Green Deal needs performance targets and performance monitoring – particularly around carbon emissions – to ensure that it delivers.

The design of Energy Company Obligation needs to be reconsidered, to ensure that it delivers the right measures to the right people, in particular the social housing sector.