British homes may be given individual energy audits in an effort to encourage them to reduce their contribution to global warming, Prime Minister Tony Blair said Monday.
Blair said he had started making an effort to "set an example" by installing low-energy lightbulbs at his Downing Street home, and by turning the thermostats down by one degree.
He said the government was looking into how it could help homeowners get energy audits that would spread the use of more energy-efficient measures by showing people how they can help reduce the emissions that cause global warming.
"You know, there are very simple things we can do to make a difference in our lives," Blair told the BBC.
"For everyone who turns down their thermostat by one degree on their heating, you know if we all did that, we could make a huge difference."
Despite Blair's comments that he has himself tried to do his bit to reduce Downing Street's carbon emissions, environmental charities remained unconvinced.
"Once again we find the Prime Minister posturing for a green audience, but promising little real action," said Robin Oakley of Greenpeace.
"He tells us he's turned the thermostat down and fitted energy efficient lightbulbs at home, but unless Number 10 (Blair's Downing Street address) becomes an engine for policy changes designed to slash emissions across the UK he will rightly be accused of hypocrisy."
