Families Cut Energy Use By Up To 30% In British Gas' 'Green Streets' Challenge

Sixty-four families have shown how it's possible to help the UK Government reach its target of reducing CO2 emissions by 20% on 1990 levels by 2010. Five months into Green Streets, the UK's biggest ever energy saving challenge, they also cut their street's energy use by up to 30%, with some households achieving savings on gas of more than 50%.

Green Streets, organised by British Gas, is a year-long social experiment in energy saving, monitored and analysed by the Institute of Public Policy Research (ippr), who released their initial findings, based on analysis of five months of data and on interviews with participants.


Participating families on eight streets in eight UK cities - a mix of customers of British Gas and other energy suppliers - were given a budget of £30,000 per street to spend on energy efficiency measures, with advice from British Gas energy experts. The street which reduces its energy usage and CO2 emissions the most over a year will win £50,000 to spend on making a community building more energy efficient.

Phil Bentley, Managing Director, British Gas, commented: "The UK now buys energy on the world market and competes toe to toe with countries prepared to pay higher prices than we've seen before. Reducing energy consumption is the single most important thing households can do to reduce bills and cut emissions. With British Gas' advice and assistance, Green Streets households have saved up to 30% on their energy use in just five months. The challenge for everyone is to see if they can do the same, and this report shows what we can all achieve."

(CD/JM)