Affordable Warmth programme in Glasgow saves 590,000 tonnes of carbon emissions

Published: 10 March 2021

A report to Glasgow City Council has outlined how the Affordable Warmth programme in the city has delivered energy-efficiency improvements to homes that will result in a saving of almost 590,000 tonnes in carbon emissions.

This figure is equivalent to four million full baths; driving round the world 83 times; or absorbing the same amount of CO2 as 100 hectares of trees.

The Affordable Warmth programme sees the council working in partnership with owner-occupiers, private landlords and housing associations to deliver energy-efficiency measures in homes with funding coming from the Scottish Government's Energy Efficient Programme: Area Based Schemes (EES:ABS), Energy Company Obligation funding from energy suppliers, and the owner-occupiers and private landlords. This is a voluntary programme with owners opting in to participate.

The programme delivers insulation measures - mostly external wall insulation - to bring lower energy bills and reduced carbon emissions.

Since 2013/14, the council has received over £37.5million in grant funding from EES:ABS, the highest of any local authority in Scotland. During this time, there have been over 11,000 energy-efficiency measures to the value of £101million installed in 75 areas in Glasgow, delivering almost 590,000 tonnes of lifetime (of the energy-efficient product) carbon savings.

The current pandemic has impacted the delivery of the programme due to restrictions on the construction industry, and the council will work with partners to ensure the programme gets back on track after lockdown. Some of these measures include bringing forward projects that have slipped, planning future programmes, and smoothing access for owners in mixed ownership blocks.

Councillor Kenny McLean, City Convener for Neighbourhoods, Housing and Public Realm at Glasgow City Council, said: "The value of our Affordable Warmth programme is clear to see, not only reducing household energy bills in homes all across Glasgow, but delivering a huge amount in carbon savings."