As part of its work implementing the Roadmap to Recovery Plan, the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has given its backing to a National Retrofit Strategy, which will now be issued for consultation.
With existing homes using 35% of all the energy in the UK, and responsible for 20% of carbon dioxide emissions, the National Retrofit Strategy plans to upgrade those homes, which is vital if we are to meet the country’s net zero targets.
The plan will help make homes more energy and water efficient, as well as warmer and cheaper to run. This is in line with the UK government’s target to upgrade homes to Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C by 2035.
A national retrofit programme will aid recovery in the repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) sector, and provide a joined-up approach to tackling climate change by all parts of the construction industry.
The proposals in the strategy will create an estimated 500,000 jobs. They call for a slow start with a widespread education campaign for householders and training for tradespeople before installations are carried out.
The strategy also calls for partnership working between industry and government according to three key deliverables:
- Creating a ‘building passport’ for every home
- Developing of skills training modules
- Creating delivery programmes in trial areas to enable a grassroots approach.
The strategy has been developed by participants of the Domestic RMI Workstream, one of the CLC’s four sector specific workstreams looking at COVID recovery. It brings together specialists and the supply chain to address sector priorities.
CLC Steering Coordination Group member, Mark Reynolds, said: “This strategy puts forward an ambitious plan for tackling climate change and creating jobs. It is fantastic to see the high level of support for the strategy from our industry.
“The CLC looks forward to working with BEIS and the Treasury to determine how the government can adopt the strategy’s recommendations.
“Retrofit promises a great deal for the sector, including a long-term pipeline of work. Not limited to this, retrofit brings opportunities for upskilling, digitisation and innovation, all in line with the Construction Sector Deal.”
Chair of the RMI Workstream, Brian Berry, added: “I am delighted that the CLC has adopted this important strategy. Greening our homes satisfies a wide range of the government’s policy priorities including ending fuel poverty, unlocking jobs, and levelling up communities across the country. I look forward to working with the government, the construction industry, and supporters of this strategy to create greener and better homes.”
If you would like to comment on the National Retrofit Strategy, email your feedback to publicaffairs@fmb.org.uk.
