A recent report has revealed that a significant number of homes in Northern Ireland require upgrades to enhance their energy efficiency to meet the net zero targets by 2030. On average, these properties do not effectively retain heat compared to homes in the rest of the UK and Ireland.

The study conducted by Ulster University forms a part of a comprehensive report by the Forum for Better Housing Market NI, a group dedicated to addressing concerns within the local housing market. Overall, the report indicates that approximately 60% of homes need to enhance their energy efficiency to support Northern Ireland in achieving its net zero objective.

David Little, the chairman of the Forum for a Better Housing Market NI, highlights that Northern Ireland is falling behind the UK and Ireland in this regard. He states, "Compared to our neighboring regions, homes in Northern Ireland demonstrate the lowest energy performance scores, and we are not on track to meet the UK's net-zero targets."

The report also highlights the efforts made by other UK nations, such as England and Wales, to tackle this issue. Specifically, they have introduced the "Heat and Buildings Strategy in 2023," which allocates £3.9bn in new funding to decarbonize heating and buildings.

 https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-65715957