A national programme to retrofit the UK’s existing 28m homes could provide additional GDP of up to £21bn and unlock 100,000 jobs in construction.
That’s according to the second iteration of the Construction Leadership Council’s (CLC) National Retrofit Strategy, a 20-year blueprint for how construction can work with government on the issue.
Modelling in the strategy suggested that if the government invested just over £5bn by the end of this Parliament, then this would create 100,000 jobs and generate government revenues of more than £12bn, in addition to boosting GDP by £21bn.
Following open consultation with the construction industry, the strategy now has more than 50 supporter organisations.
The CLC said that the energy and water efficiency of the UK’s existing homes had to be addressed if the UK was to meet its carbon reduction targets and create jobs.
It claimed its strategy would supports the government’s mission to recover from the pandemic from the pandemic and will help to deliver on the ambitions committed to in the Energy White Paper and 10 Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution.
Commenting on the launch of the strategy’s second iteration, Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) chief executive Caroline Gumble said: "I’m very pleased to see the latest iteration of the National Retrofit Strategy (NRS) published today, as it sets out a blue print to make our existing homes greener and more energy and water efficient. Without a long-term plan, the UK cannot meet its target of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. CIOB would like to see the Government include a commitment to the NRS in its forthcoming Heat and Buildings Strategy, ensuring the construction industry is at the heart of the UK’s journey to net zero."
The National Retrofit Strategy forms part of the CLC’s CO2nstruct Zero campaign.
Construction firms can pledge their support for the National Retrofit Strategy, by emailing [email protected].
The CLC has also created resources for supporters promote the strategy, including Social media posts, a template presentation, and a blog for supporters’ websites.
