ao link
Twitter
Facebook
Linked In
Twitter
Facebook
Linked In

London Councils reveals £98bn plan to retrofit 3.8 million homes

London Councils has announced a £98bn London-wide plan to retrofit more than three million homes in a bid to achieve net zero carbon in properties across the capital.

Linked InTwitterFacebookeCard
Picture: Getty
Picture: Getty
Sharelines

London Councils has announced a £98bn London-wide plan to retrofit more than three million homes in a bid to achieve net zero carbon in properties across the capital #UKhousing

All 33 local authorities in London have agreed a joint plan to retrofit 3.78 million homes, which are responsible for around one-third of the capital’s greenhouse gas emissions.

It is hoped that by upgrading all housing stock to an average Energy Performance Certificate rating of B – the second most efficient rating – by 2030, boroughs will drive a “dramatic decarbonisation of London property and make vital progress on the capital’s path towards net zero”.

The Retrofit London Housing Action Plan was developed by the London Housing Directors’ Group with support from the London Environment Directors’ Network, the Greater London Authority, and Enfield and Waltham Forest as lead boroughs.


READ MORE

Cost of retrofitting all social homes in the UK to zero carbon to top £100bn, exclusive research revealsCost of retrofitting all social homes in the UK to zero carbon to top £100bn, exclusive research reveals
Retrofitting homes is a necessity in tackling the climate emergencyRetrofitting homes is a necessity in tackling the climate emergency
Retrofitting homes to meet 2050 climate targets could also create a healthier way of livingRetrofitting homes to meet 2050 climate targets could also create a healthier way of living
Retrofitting sprinklers will lead to service cuts without government funding, warns CIPFARetrofitting sprinklers will lead to service cuts without government funding, warns CIPFA

It recommends that boroughs retrofit their own stock of 390,000 council homes, that planning decisions and guidance support low-carbon retrofitting, and that London should quickly move away from gas heating.

London Councils said that retrofitting the homes relies on targeted government investment.

Although it estimates that the work would cost £98bn overall, the cross-party group says the target would support 200,000 jobs linked to insulating and retrofitting.

In its submission to the Spending Review, which chancellor Rishi Sunak will unveil on 27 October, London Councils listed the green recovery as a top priority for the coming years.

It is calling on the government to announce £30m for the next phase of the UK Cities Climate Investment Commission work, which was set up to identify green investment opportunities across cities.

London Councils says the funding is “necessary to unlock over £200bn of private investment for delivering net zero” across the UK cities.

The group is asking that new financial incentives are introduced to encourage private retrofitting, which could include green mortgages offering lower rates and a variable stamp duty land tax for more energy-efficient homes.

Philip Glanville, mayor of Hackney and chair of London Councils’ transport and environment committee, said: “Achieving net zero is undoubtedly a momentous challenge – but it’s also an invaluable opportunity to work with communities in improving energy efficiency, embedding green skills, and driving a green economic recovery.

“This is a vital investment in a greener future for London and the whole UK. Retrofitting on this scale will bring immediate benefits by creating new jobs while also at this crucial time lowering Londoners’ fuel bills, cutting carbon emissions, and addressing the climate emergency.

“As we approach the Spending Review and COP26, the government should seize the day and boost local funding for this important work, which is integral to the UK’s ability to make net zero happen.”

Sign up for our development and finance newsletter

Sign up for our development and finance newsletter
Linked InTwitterFacebookeCard
Add New Comment
You must be logged in to comment.