Without an emphasis on making homes more energy efficient, the UK will fall short of its target to reduce carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.

This is according to the Existing Homes Alliance, a group of businesses and charities that aims to encourage domestic efficiency measures as a primary means of reducing the UK's emissions.

A large-scale refurbishment scheme, which could potentially see some 500,000 homes become nearly carbon neutral within five years, has been put forward by the coalition, 24dash.com reports.

Conversion of areas high in fuel poverty should be undertaken, as well as the adoption of small-scale microgeneration schemes through which consumers could sell their surplus energy back to the national grid, the alliance claim.

"This approach will ensure the UK can meet its international responsibilities while securing energy-efficient and low-carbon homes for future generations," said alliance acting chair and director of Energy for Sustainable Development, Paul Ruyssevelt.

UK houses are now rated for their efficiency as part of home information packs' energy performance certificates, which inform potential property buyers of a house's energy efficiency.