CLC adopts National Retrofit Strategy

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, issued for consultation.

With our existing homes using 35% of all the energy in the UK, and responsible for 20% of carbon dioxide emissions, the National Retrofit Strategy puts forward a plan for upgrades that are vital if we are to meet the country's net zero targets.

The plan will help make homes greener and more energy, and water, efficient, warmer and cheaper to run. This is in line with the UK Government's target to upgrade as many homes as possible 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 opportunity for a joined-up approach to tackling climate change by all parts of the construction industry.

The strategy 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, and 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."

A link to the consultation document can be found here.

CIAT is a supporter to this Strategy but members can add their views directly. If you would like to comment on the strategy, please send your feedback to [email protected]. The deadline for comments is 1 March 2021.