The historic environment can play a vital role in tackling climate change, according to heritage organisations. In particular, the sensitive re-use of historic buildings is crucial if the UK is to meet the new tougher target of cutting 80 per cent of all carbon emissions by 2050.

At today’s launch of Heritage Counts 2008, the annual report of the historic environment, heritage organisations called on the Government and local authorities to recognise that the historic environment is part of the solution to tackling climate change and that its share of carbon emissions can be reduced by sensitive improvements. Statistics shows that houses in England built before 1919 account for approximately 5 per cent of all the country’s carbon emissions.

Speaking at the launch at the London Transport Museum, Sir Barry Cunliffe, interim Chairman of English Heritage, said:

'The nation’s built heritage is a finite and precious resource and we must recognise that the re-use and recycling of older buildings is both responsible and sustainable.'

'We need to develop and share approaches that avoid unnecessary damage to the special value and qualities of the historic environment. More Government policies that work towards changing human behaviour in energy use are also necessary because that is the area that will make the crucial difference.'

Fiona Reynolds, Director-General of The National Trust said: 'The historic environment is often amongst the first to experience problems associated with climate change and, just like any other home, work or meeting place, older buildings can be an important part of the solution. Every little contribution we can make to cutting carbon use can make a real difference.'

'From renewable energy generation through to improving energy efficiency, Heritage Counts gives a compelling picture of how older buildings can be sensitively adapted to make a positive contribution. Moreover, they can inspire millions of people who visit historic properties to take action themselves. We call on the government to recognise the valuable role the heritage sector can play, and is playing, in tackling this urgent problem.'

Heritage Counts 2008 emphasises the active role heritage organisations can play to help society pursue a low carbon economy – from mitigating the share of carbon emissions produced by historic buildings through advocating measures to improve energy efficiency of older buildings, championing and experimenting with new technologies on historic properties they manage to inspiring the public to change their behaviour on energy consumption.

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Examples of a green heritage sector in action include:

• Working with its energy partner, npower, the National Trust is installing 21st-century eco-measures across its historic houses, industrial buildings and ancient castles. As part of the ongoing Green Energy Fund project, boilers fuelled by wood pellets have been installed in the 17th-century Sudbury Hall in Derbyshire, releasing around 90 per cent less carbon dioxide than the oil-fuelled system that used to heat the property. More Green Energy Fund projects will be installed at properties in 2009.
• The National Trust has launched a ‘Big Switch’ project to change 40,000 light bulbs across its historic houses, offices, shops, restaurants and holiday cottages to low energy alternatives. Once installed, the new bulbs will save 2,223 tonnes of carbon per year and will reduce energy and maintenance costs by £431,000 each year.
• English Heritage has launched Climate Change and Your Home, a website which contains guidance that help home owners protect their homes against the effects of climate change such as local storms, and improve the energy efficiency of traditionally constructed houses whilst preserving their special character. It includes a section on how micro-generation technologies such as micro-wind generation and solar thermal energy can be successfully incorporated into older buildings.
• A member of the Historic Houses Association, the Grade II*-listed Stansted House in Sussex moved from an oil-fired system to a biofuel heating system, utilising the chestnut coppice on the Estate. The system, which had a carbon footprint of 250 tonnes a year, is moving to a balanced carbon neutral system, saving around £25,000 annually in fuel bills. Around 700 tonnes of coppice was used annually. The carbon emitted is balanced entirely by the additional carbon absorption from the management of the chestnut coppice. The tiny amount of ash from the boiler goes on the borders around the House. Defra offered a grant towards the Stansted system and The Carbon Trust gave an interest free loan.
• The Heritage Lottery Fund has introduced new guidance on environmental impacts for grant applicants under its latest Strategic Plan. This will encourage more awareness of the climate change impacts of projects, andstimulate innovation in both energy efficiency and renewable energy.
• English Heritage will undertake a research project that will, for the first time, find out the real scope for energy-saving from sympathetic adaptation of traditionally constructed houses; explore whether the current method of estimating energy use, the SAP method (Notes to Editors 3), is suitable for traditional houses; and whether human behaviour is ultimately the key determining factor in energy saving than adaptation of houses.
• The Historic Houses Association is conducting research into the scope for reducing energy costs in historic houses, for developing sources of alternative, renewable energy and for minimising the carbon footprint of the overall house opening business. The research will be published at an HHA seminar in 2009.

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Heritage Counts is published by English Heritage on behalf of the Historic Environment Review Executive Committee and the Regional Historic Environment Forums. It is a comprehensive overview of the key statistics, trend development and research related to England’s heritage.