Saving 10,000 transatlantic flights worth of carbon emissions

The Council’s Lower Bills Warmer Homes Campaign saved thousands of residents in the borough money on their energy bills since it began. The campaign is set to save local people £1m over five years to the tune of nearly £300 per household. The carbon emissions saved is equivalent to an astonishing 10,000 flights from London to New York.

The 2023/24 Lower Bills Warmer Homes Campaign ran from last October to March and offered every resident in the borough bespoke advice and support over the colder months. This included handy, helpful tips, as well as free materials like lightbulbs, draft excluders and radiator guards to help increase energy efficiency in the home. For some eligible households, it also included free energy efficiency upgrade work in their properties.

Councillor Clyde Loakes, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate and Air Quality said: “Some residents struggle to keep their homes warm in winter. As part of our Cost-of-Living support we knew it was vital to ensure everyone in our borough had access to support to help them with the cost of energy bills, and to stay comfortable and healthy in the colder months.
I’m delighted that this campaign was able to save local people £1m over five years - nearly £300 per household. Heating our homes is also the largest source of carbon emissions, which is why it is vital we work collectively to reduce the amount of unnecessary energy we are using and fight the climate crisis.''

Cllr Clyde Loakes continued: 
“Our campaign worked with our partners Service Store and provided a series of drop-in sessions to provided energy saving materials and the number of households who have now benefitted from these free items is now more than 3,400. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this and is working to help fight the climate crisis in our borough. Tackling the climate emergency and working towards a net-zero borough by 2030 is a key part of Mission Waltham Forest, the Council’s long-term commitment to boost council services and improve the quality of life for local people.'' 

In closing Cllr Clyde Loakes said:  “We are paving the way towards a greener future. Our residents overwhelmingly support action to reduce our climate impact and want to be part of the change. It is time for us to harness this passion by equipping every resident with the tools to make the impact they want to see.  The threat of the climate emergency cannot be understated, but together, we will pave the way towards net-zero emissions and a greener, more sustainable borough.”