His call comes as more and more homes, schools and businesses have been helped with Government grants to install technologies such as solar panels, biomass boilers and ground-source heat pumps.

Grants claimed under BERR's Low Carbon Buildings Programme since it launched in April 2006 are up to approximately £25m:

* £7.5m to help 4,600 households generate their own clean and green energy.

* £18m for a total of 739 projects on school, community, housing association and business buildings.

Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks said:

"It's vital that recent efforts by world governments to reach a deal on cutting global carbon emissions are matched by action by each and every one of us. Deciding to go green and generate your own clean energy is one of the most valuable New Year's resolutions you can make. It is certainly my intention to make a difference, and make my own house more energy efficient and install clean and green electricity."

There are still £11m in grants available under Phase 1 for householders who want to generate renewable energy at home. Schools, charitable bodies and other public sector organisations can apply for a share of the £44m that remains from the original £50m set aside for them under Phase 2.