London mayor Ken Livingstone has officially launched the Green Homes service, which aims to help local residents cut back on household carbon emissions.

Under the scheme - inspired by a similar programme in Toronto - Londoners will now have access to a free telephone helpline and website which provide expert advice on how to reduce in-home energy consumption.

Advisers working for the telephone service (0800 512 012) are tasked with handing out personalised information about a range of green home improvements such as installing solar panels and double glazing insulation.

And the website features a host of useful tools - such as online carbon calculators and information about council grants - that it is hoped will encourage homeowners to take the first step towards energy efficiency.

"Londoners want to green their homes but are baffled by the information out there," Darren Johnson, Green party member of the London assembly, told the Guardian. "This offers an integrated, comprehensive advice service."

The Green Homes service has been allocated over £4 million for the next year and has set a goal of cutting carbon emissions by 500,000 tonnes a year by 2010.

© Adfero Ltd

Author:  Joanne McCabe

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