Introduction of Energy Performance Certificates

23.06.13

2 Deputy M.B. Andrews of St. Helier North of the Minister for the Environment

regarding the introduction of Energy Performance Certificates (OQ.107/2023)

I believe the Assistant Minister for the Environment is answering my question. Will the Minister advise what plans, if any, he has to introduce Energy Performance Certificates for properties, and what consideration, if any, has been given to address the consequences of their introduction on individuals?

Deputy H. Jeune of St. John, St. Lawrence and Trinity (Assistant Minister for the

Environment - rapporteur):

Thank you, Deputy , for your question. There is already an Energy Performance Certificate, or E.P.C., domestic tool available with a subsidy since 2019 and, to date, over 1,500 domestic E.P.C.s have been produced. The ambition behind the introduction of mandatory E.P.C.s agreed by the Assembly in 2022 as part of the carbon neutral roadmap is to drive up the energy performance of buildings, reduce energy costs for owners and tenants and reduce our Island’s carbon emissions. The target is for the legislation to come into force at the end of 2024, therefore we are moving ahead with scoping, engagement with the Law Drafting Office and with stakeholders in commissioning a technical review. A formal consultation on the draft legislation and the technical review will be carried out in early 2024. Initially the legislation will require property - domestic or commercial - to have an E.P.C. at the point of sale or rental. Over time, the intention is to introduce standards for minimum levels of performance at the point of sale or rental. As a result of this, Islanders will have a better understanding of the energy performance costs and carbon emissions of the buildings they buy or rent, which will help them make informed decisions on how to make energy efficiency improvements, help their heating costs and reduce carbon emissions. The newly launched low carbon heating incentive plays a role in supporting property owners to increase the energy efficiency of their properties. We will also continue to explore how we can further support Islanders to make the needed energy efficiency improvements.

1. Deputy M.B. Andrews :

Does the Assistant Minister for the Environment believe there potentially could be some unintended consequences with the E.P.C. being introduced? If the case is yes, how will the Minister for the Environment and the Assistant Minister for the Environment best address those issues?

Deputy H. Jeune :

This tool, E.P.C., is already in place in many countries in the U.K. (United Kingdom) and also in Europe. This means we can do a lot of lessons learned from what is happening already. This is why we are going fast and quickly into a scoping, a review, a technical review and a consultation to make sure that if there are any unintended consequences we can find them and then develop a specific

bespoke tool for Jersey.

2. Deputy M. Tadier :

Does the Assistant Minister believe that from a consumer point of view, whether it is as somebody buying a new house or renting a property, one has the right to know what kind of home one is living in and how much energy and what your bills are likely to be in that home?

Deputy H. Jeune :

Thank you, Deputy . Yes, absolutely. I think it is absolutely right for both homeowners and tenants to be able to know and understand the energy efficiency or the energy costs in their home and also carbon emissions. Therefore they will be able to use that data to make the improvements necessary.

The Bailiff :

It may seem a fairly small point but “Thank you, Deputy ” is not speaking through the Chair. “I thank the Deputy for his question” is speaking through the Chair, otherwise you are addressing the Deputy directly.