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.

House builder's triumph in Supreme Court over nutrient neutrality logjam

The UK Supreme Court has sided with a house builder over a planning decision related to nutrient neutrality rules, in a verdict that could give the green light to the construction of thousands of new homes around the country.

Contractor and CIH president call for national retrofit skills strategy

The president of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and a large contractor have called for a national skills strategy to scale up retrofit.

Built Environment Climate change Construction Development Government/Agency/Public body Membership/trade body Net Zero Policy & Regulation Procurement framework Property services/Facilities/Asset management Skills

Social tariff for energy bills could release millions of households out of fuel poverty

A discounted energy tariff for social tenants could release millions of households in England and Wales out of fuel poverty by 2030, according to new analysis.

Charity/third sector Climate change Education/Training/Knowledge Research Energy/Environment Government/Agency/Public body Net Zero Policy & Regulation Power Generation

Welsh housing association uses sheep to maintain development site

A housing association in North Wales is using sheep to trim the grass on one of its development sites.

Climate change Energy/Environment Food & Agriculture General business services Housing Association/RP Net Zero Policy & Regulation Property services/Facilities/Asset management Wales

Fourth social landlord joins Future Homes Hub to develop sustainable housing

A Midlands housing association has joined the Future Homes Hub, a non-profit organisation bringing together house builders, the social housing sector and government to develop sustainable homes.

Built Environment Climate change Energy/Environment Housing Association/RP Infrastructure Net Zero Policy & Regulation Power Generation Property services/Facilities/Asset management

Green Party co-leader backs housing association pledge to install swift bricks in homes

The co-leader of the Green Party has backed a housing association’s pledge to install ‘swift bricks’ in its new build homes to help birds nest.

Built Environment Construction Development Energy/Environment Housing Association/RP Infrastructure Policy & Regulation Property services/Facilities/Asset management

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

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

Partner Content

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.