Views sought on cutting emissions in Cornwall

Figures say 15% of Cornish households have a renewable installation, including solar panels

People in Cornwall are being asked to give their views on how to lower emissions and improve the energy efficiency of homes.

Cornwall Council is carrying out a survey as part of a public consultation for its Draft Housing Decarbonisation Strategy.

The work plans to outline short, medium and long-term actions needed to make homes more energy efficient by setting out key principles, targets and a possible timeline, the council said.

Residents can give their views until 16 September.

'Positive steps'

Councillor Olly Monk, Cornwall's cabinet member for housing, said local housing was "on the whole is less energy efficient compared to the rest of the country and across the South West".

But he added "real positive steps" were being seen in renewable energy measures being installed.

He said: "Recent data from MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme), which certifies the installation of small-scale renewable energy measures, suggests that 15% of Cornish households have an MCS certified renewable installation, including solar panels, heat pumps and battery storage.

"By adopting a strategy, we can identify ways to reduce emissions from Cornish housing on a mass scale and give us the evidence we need to attract funding that could allow us to deliver housing improvements."

Councillor Martyn Alvey, cabinet member for environment and climate change, said homes accounted for more than 20% of total emissions in Cornwall.

"There are important health and long-term financial benefits for everyone in making our homes more energy efficient as well as supporting skills, training and employment in our growing green economy," he said.