The Government are taking a number of steps to ensure consumers are assisted in understanding the support available to them. The Government support a one-stop shop through the Energy Saving Trust which provides free advice to consumers on energy saving as well as providing easy access to the full range of Carbon Emission Reduction Target offers. This is supported by the Government's overarching Act on CO2 marketing campaign which demonstrates the benefits of the energy saving measures offered under the Carbon Emission Reduction Target as part of coverage in national television, press, radio and online. We have recently conducted qualitative research among consumers to help deepen our understanding of attitudes, behaviours, motivations and barriers for home insulation. Longer term, we have set out our intention as part of the ‘Warm Homes, Greener Homes’ strategy to continue to improve and simplify consumer access to, and navigation of, energy saving information. This will combine with effective branding and marketing to build awareness and trust in the available products and services.
The supplier obligation (now termed the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target) has been set over three-year cycles precisely to allow Government to reflect on its successes and to evolve the scheme so that it only pulls through the most energy efficient products with the most potential to provide for household sector carbon emissions reductions. The measures eligible for each phase are subject to full public consultation. The consultation on the April 2011 to December 2012 extension of the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target, which concluded on 14 March 2010, specifically asked whether Government should introduce up front sunset clauses for products when they reach a certain level of market penetration. Consultation responses are now being considered.