CARBON NEUTRAL

Carbon Neutral Cambridge (CNC) is an association composed of volunteers and is focussed on accelerating the transition to fair and healthy carbon neutrality within our region.

Following the government announcement of the Green Homes Grant scheme in August 2020, Carbon Neutral Cambridge volunteers decided to analyse all 292,000 Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) of  homes in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) to identify the potential for the most cost effective Home Energy Upgrade opportunities: i.e. upgrading roof insulation and insulating cavity walls. Although EPCs have their limitations, and only cover an estimated 78 % of the CPCA housing stock, they still give a very useful overview.

CNC have created a series of dynamic online maps showing “hotspots” where lots of homes can probably be easily be upgraded to become healthier with lower carbon emissions and bills.

There is also a detailed report available here, called Hot Numbers.

Three simple steps to take:

• Browse CNC online map to see if your home is in a hotspot for poor roof insulation, or uninsulated Cavity Walls
• Check your roof/walls to see if they need upgrading. Help your neighbours check their homes too.
• Apply for a Green Homes Grant for better insulation and get a grant for at least 2/3rds of the cost up to £5,000, or 100% of the cost up to £10,000 for those in receipt of most benefits.