PROJECTS & INNOVATION

We need to learn from doing. Read about practical developments and innovation that is moving the decarbonisation of homes and buildings forward.

London boroughs call for £194m funding to retrofit 20,000 homes

London boroughs have called for a £194m boost from government to retrofit 20,000 homes.

Clarion reveals shortlist for 2025 William Sutton Prize

Clarion Housing Group has revealed the finalists for the sixth William Sutton Prize, with winners sharing a £125,000 cash pot.

Environment Bank founder calls for biodiversity net gain to shift offsite

The founder of Environment Bank has called for the delivery of the biodiversity net gain (BNG) policy to shift offsite

Built Environment Climate change Construction Development Education/Training/Knowledge Research Energy/Environment Finance and funding Government/Agency/Public body Health & safety/compliance Infrastructure Local authority/Combined authority Net Zero Policy & Regulation

Expert panel to review substandard retrofits installed under government schemes

Ministers have set up an expert panel to review substandard insulation retrofits that were installed under government-backed schemes.

Built Environment Climate change Education/Training/Knowledge Research Energy/Environment Finance and funding Government/Agency/Public body Housing Association/RP Local authority/Combined authority Net Zero Policy & Regulation Power Generation Product/service supplier Property services/Facilities/Asset management Skills

Government plans to train 18,000 retrofit professionals

Ministers have unveiled plans to train up to 18,000 people to install heat pumps, fit solar panels, install insulation and work on heat networks.

Education/Training/Knowledge Research Net Zero Skills

Newcastle City Council employs social housing tenants in its Green Start programme

Newcastle City Council has partnered with three social landlords to employ social housing tenants in its retrofit programme.

Built Environment Education/Training/Knowledge Research Housing Association/RP Local authority/Combined authority Net Zero North East Property services/Facilities/Asset management Skills

New hub to research sustainable transport and energy technologies

The “game-changing” new Zero Carbon Innovation Centre at the University of Nottingham will deliver research into transport technology and green hydrogen production

East Midlands Education/Training/Knowledge Research Net Zero Power Generation Transport

Nuaire launches NICEIC training facility in north Wales decarbonisation hub

New training centre will look towards reducing carbon emissions in homes

Education/Training/Knowledge Research Net Zero Skills Wales

New vehicle to grid EV charging trial uses lower cost technology

The project trials next-generation vehicle to grid charging using AC rather than DC

Education/Training/Knowledge Research Net Zero Transport

ENGAGE IN THE DEBATE

Webinar recordings

Unlock Net Zero hosts monthly webinars focused on connecting our audience in the practical transition to net zero.

Unlock Net Zero Live

Unlock Net Zero Live brings the UK housing and built environment sectors together to push forward bold conversations and practical solutions to decarbonise our homes and places at both pace and scale

Housing 2025

Housing, Europe’s largest housing festival, will take place on 25 - 27 June 2024 at Manchester Central

The dignity of tenants is paramount and that requires frameworks delivering warm, safe homes at speed

Procurement frameworks are often seen as back-office tools, but when designed with resident wellbeing in mind they become vital levers for delivering safer and warmer homes, says Rory Evans, regional director at LHC

Contractors sought for major public buildings framework

Applications for the latest public buildings framework from LHC Procurement Group (LHCPG) – worth a total of £1.5bn – are open until 9 December 2025.

New Chair leads future expansion strategy for public sector procurement body

Public sector procurement specialist LHC Procurement Group has appointed Dame Maria Miller DBE as its new chair from 14 October 2025.

LHC Procurement Group launches £285m roofing systems framework

A total of 54 contractors have been appointed to the latest Roofing Systems and Associated Works (RS5) framework from LHC Procurement Group (LHCPG).

CHIC: Keeping residents safe and well

Being a housing provider is not easy in 2025. There are many issues that can keep you awake at night. As a regulated sector there is even more pressure and scrutiny (quite rightly) to provide consistently good service outcomes for residents, creating safe and healthy living environments for all.