Electrical appliance use could impact air quality targets

Britons have been warned that their "love affair" with electronic appliances could cause the UK to miss its 2020 air quality targets.

The government is hoping to see domestic carbon emissions cut by 34 per cent when compared to 1990 levels, but the Energy Saving Trust has said that this will not happen unless urgent action is taken.

It found that Britons now use three-and-a-half-times more electrical gadgets than 20 years ago and at this rate the government will miss its goal by up to seven million tonnes of carbon.

Consumers have been urged to get rid of old power guzzling appliances such as fridge freezers and washing machines and replace them with more economical versions.

By doing so, the UK could trim its carbon emissions by two million tonnes - saving households up to a combined £585 million in fuel bills.

Last month, the Energy Saving Trust urged companies to cut down on their own greenhouse gas output by adding electric vehicles to their corporate fleets.

Posted by Joseph Hutton