The transport sector is the largest single consumer of energy in the UK, accounting for 34% of the total. The domestic sector was responsible for a further 30% and industry for another 22%. The remaining 14% was consumed by the service sector and the agriculture sector (1%).

Excluding the transport sector, heat accounts for over 70% of all the energy we use. For instance, in the domestic sector, space heating accounts for over 60% of energy use, water heating just over 23% and cooking 2.7%, leaving only 13% used for non-heat applications. The use of heat accounts for 47% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions.

The UK government has signed up to the European Commission’s proposals to save 20% of energy consumption through improved energy efficiency by 2020.8 However, based on existing strategies to reduce energy demand, the International Energy Agency (IEA) predict global energy consumption is likely to grow by about 50% by 2030.