Study suggests more low carbon awareness is needed

More public awareness is needed if people are to embrace the government's zero carbon homes strategy, a new National House-Building Council (NHBC) report has suggested.

The report, which was conducted by research firm EPR, is based on interviews with over 500 homeowners, as well as discussions with nine focus groups.

According to the BBC, it indicated that common fears about low and zero carbon homes included cost and maintenance, which has prompted NHBC chief executive Imtiaz Farookhi to state that more should be done to provide homebuyers and homeowners with an understanding of what a low carbon lifestyle would entail.

"Unless people actually understand and engage in this, they are not going to be willing to buy these homes and change their lifestyles," he stated.

In November 2007, a report released by Oxford University's Environmental Change institute suggested a number of measures can be taken to encourage a low carbon lifestyle, including financial support and incentives for people who install energy efficient products, the news source reported.