Households are responsible for around a third of the UK's total carbon emissions - a significant contribution to climate change. Meanwhile, almost four million households struggle to afford adequate energy. They are victims of 'fuel poverty'. Fuel poverty and climate change are two big challenges facing the UK. Conflicting though these challenges appear, it is vital to develop policies that help vulnerable groups stay warm, and encourage those that over-consume energy to reduce and use energy more wisely.

The NCC has an excellent track record - advocating policy on both affordable energy and sustainable consumption. Our recent work adds value to the energy policy debate by bridging the social and environmental challenges associated with fuel poverty and climate change. We aim to promote policies and practices that make sustainable energy choices easier for consumers, as well as ensuring that consumers - especially disadvantaged consumers - can afford an adequate energy supply.

Fuel poverty

Almost four million UK households - that's 5.5 million people - struggle to afford an adequate energy supply. They are victims of 'fuel poverty'. (Click here to view Cold comfort - a film of first-hand accounts of this daily struggle.)

Meanwhile, many UK households use unsustainably high amounts of gas and electricity. A third of the UK's total carbon emissions come from heating our homes and the water we use, but awareness of how our daily lives impact on the environment is low.
Conflicting though these challenges may appear, it is vital to develop policies that both help vulnerable groups stay warm affordably, and encourage those who over-consume energy to use it more wisely. The National Consumer Council proposes a blueprint for action - by government, the energy regulator (Ofgem) and energy supply companies - that has the potential to do just that.

Recommendations include smarter tariffs, innovative payment methods and adequate financial help.

Click here to download our blueprint for action, Energy shouldn't cost the Earth (122KB).

Click here to read our press release.

Click here to watch the NCC video on fuel poverty