The energy saving aspirations of homeowners are their own responsibility, it has been suggested.

Gordon Miller, sustainability and communications director for eco-aware social enterprise Sustain, argues that householders share energy saving obligations with builders and utility providers.

He adds that everyone must work on "reducing CO2 emissions and, in so doing, contribute to the UK's legally binding commitment to reduce CO2 emissions by 80 per cent by 2050".

Mr Miller concedes that targets set for utility providers to help in achieving these reductions might seem punitive to some smaller firms.

However, he warns against making such concerns public while those same companies are generating large profits year-on-year.

Instead, he claims that it is "right and proper" for the carbon emissions reduction target to place demands on energy suppliers to help in cutting greenhouse gas generation.

But ultimately, he reminds householders that they also share in the need to raise energy efficiency levels in order to achieve the targets set.