WEBINAR RECORDINGS

UNLOCK NET ZERO WEBINARS

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

We bring together experts from organisations across the UK to discuss net zero solutions, build a community of interested parties and help empower businesses to lead the net zero revolution.

Each session format is a 45-minute webinar with our expert panel, followed by a 45-minute Q&A and discussion so we can find the solutions together.

To register for future webinars, visit our events page here

Understanding and managing the impact of EPC reform on housing strategies and retrofit projects

This Unlock Net Zero webinar brings together sector experts and delivery partners to clarify what is changing and share practical strategies for managing the shift from current EPC metrics to the new ones in the coming EPC Reforms (which will also be used in MEES), while balancing the demands of the home building programme, new industry standards and the rising costs of compliance.

Lowering carbon while lowering bills? Affordability in new builds and retrofit for net zero

Labour has pledged to cut annual energy bills by £300 and boost home efficiency, but can net zero housing really deliver savings for residents amid price uncertainty? Join Unlock Net Zero to explore how policy, innovation and delivery - from the Future Homes Standard to retrofit - are working to align decarbonisation with affordability.

Delivering retrofit at pace and volume: are we ready for what’s next?

As new retrofit funding rolls out across Wales and England, are we ready to deliver at pace and scale? Join sector leaders to explore lessons learned, ongoing barriers, and the urgent actions needed to turn ambition into impact – while keeping quality, residents, and outcomes central.

Integrating retrofit as part of strategic asset management strategies

Retrofit work is vast, but integrating decarbonisation into asset management boosts performance, cuts costs, and enhances efficiency. This session covers financial incentives, funding, performance standards, smart tech, and future-proofing against market and regulatory shifts. Join us to explore effective retrofit strategies.

Build a skilled workforce and supply chain to decarbonise the nation's homes

Hear from industry experts about what we need to do to build the workforce and supply chain needed to decarbonise the nation’s homes so we can reach Net Zero by 2050. This webinar will explore how we can start a retrofit revolution in the social housing sector which then builds supply chain capacity to make the changes needed to owner occupied and privately rented homes. It will look at why funding and skills development should be locally led and will share examples of good practice happening.

Putting decarbonisation at the heart of long-term business planning

The housing sector is facing significant investment challenges with a squeeze on resources, high interest rates and rising costs. In this environment, how do we plan for the long-term impact of the climate crisis? Join this session to explore the strategies and funding solutions to ensure that the net zero transition sits at the heart of business plans going forward.

Developing the workforce skills needed to deliver large-scale retrofit programmes

The Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund Wave 3 will upgrade a significant amount of the social housing stock currently below Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band C up to that standard. Join this session to understand the current policy and funding routes to build the workforce of the future, and how to enable better collaboration between training providers, education institutions, and the housing sector to make green jobs attractive and fully understood.

Unlocking retrofit delivery at scale

With the introduction of the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (previously known as the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund) the volume of retrofit has increased. The technologies involved are well known but it is perhaps the volume of work that needs to be delivered that is the real challenge we face. Through our learnings to date how can we sensibly ramp up delivery of retrofit, addressing the issues of cost whilst also ensuring the process is a good experience for residents.

Data and insights to support residents on the decarbonisation journey

The housing sector holds so much data about our properties and the people that live in them, but using this data more strategically is vital to the successful planning, delivery and ongoing success of retrofit projects.

Accelerating retrofit skills and supply chains

Rapid growth in skills is needed to meet current and future retrofit demand and scale up the decarbonisation of the UK housing sector. Join this session to learn from the organisations that are collaborating on joint retrofit partnerships to generate local supply chains and skills as a combined force.

The politics of climate change: what support do we need from the next government to scale up home decarbonisation?

With an election due this year, join this webinar to understand where climate change and domestic energy supply and security sit within the priorities of the main political parties. What policy, legislation and funding support does the housing sector need to help meet our collective decarbonisation goals?

Investing in new low carbon homes that meet future needs

Housing providers are investing in the quality, energy efficiency, and warmth of existing homes - but the need for new, sustainable homes fit for the future cannot be ignored.

Rethinking business models to fund net zero

Given the competing financial priorities facing housing providers and uncertainty around funded programmes, concerns remain about how the decarbonisation of UK homes will be funded. Housing associations need to adopt a long-term strategic approach - how do we look beyond grant funding cycles to drive activity? What are the flexible funding and private finance solutions? Can we think differently about the assets we own to generate revenue?

Local approaches to heat decarbonisation

The decarbonisation of heat is one of the biggest challenges facing the UK on the road to net zero. During this webinar we explore the low carbon heating systems for homes that are viable at scale, including heat pumps and heat networks. We discussed common challenges for heat decarbonisation such as workforce availability, streamlining costs, and place-based collaboration.

Net zero trailblazers: delivering place-based action in our cities

This webinar highlighted some of the actions UK cities are taking to implement regeneration and placemaking activity in conjunction with the transition to net zero. Part of our Cities, placemaking, living and the net zero challenge programme supported by E.ON, Equans, and Mears we explored how practical projects, community led retrofit activity and local engagement programmes are making a real positive difference and adding social value to communities across the UK.

Easing supply chain pressures for net zero delivery

To deliver the vast programme of retrofit work to achieve net zero, the supply chain and skills in the housing sector still need to be scaled up. How can organisations collaborate on joint retrofit pipelines to generate the supply chain and skills as a combined force? Procurement has a key role to play in kickstarting and delivering large-scale, whole house retrofit for UK homes. How should sustainability be embedded into procurement practices?

Zero carbon retrofit - getting ready to deliver at scale

The retrofit challenge we face is monumental as over 80% of the homes we’ll be living in by 2050 have already been built. Looking at performance standards and data, workforce availability and the pressures on the supply chain, this session will explore how can we scale retrofit from time intensive small pilots to bigger pilots, and eventually mass rollout. We will also address the urgent question: how will we fund retrofit at scale?

The connection between reducing carbon and tackling damp and mould

Carbon reduction and tackling damp and mould are key strategic challenges that housing providers are grappling with. This session will explore how we can tie these top priorities into asset management strategies, and a wider programme of complementary work. What is being done to ensure breathable, well-ventilated buildings with healthy indoor air that reduce carbon emissions? Picking up the PAS 2035 requirements, how do we implement thermal modelling and condensation risk analysis?

How are housing providers funding decarbonisation?

Housing providers are facing a plethora of cost pressures, including rising operating costs, the 7% rent cap in England, investment into zero carbon and other regulatory requirements. This session will explore how housing providers are ensuring that the cost of funding net zero is factored into business plans within a changing environment. What will the impact be on social housing values? What are the new ways of thinking when it comes to finance and funding decarbonisation activity?

Delivering carbon free places with health and community benefits

Housing, transport, energy, and infrastructure must work in harmony to create interconnected places that are environmentally sustainable, healthy, and accessible. How are communities involved in delivering greener and healthier places that people want to live, work, socialise and study? And how does this affect the homes we live in?

The data to enable net zero delivery

Data will sit at the heart of a successful net zero transition. Efficient data governance is essential if we are to target the worst energy-performing homes, identify the customers most likely to be living in fuel poverty, and deliver improvements at scale. How are housing providers gathering a single source of truth for data to inform decisions and meet standards? What are the most important considerations to keep in mind?

Keep cool and carry on: addressing overheating in homes

Last year, temperatures in the UK exceeded 40°C for the first time on record. Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common as a result of climate change and the housing sector is having to find ways to adapt homes and places to cope. How do we assess and mitigate overheating risks in homes – for new build and for retrofit? How can we tackle the common challenges such as lack of shading, and lack of adequate ventilation? What are the long term solutions?

The homes of tomorrow: low carbon construction at scale

32% of landfill waste comes from the construction and demolition of buildings. Steel and concrete in construction is responsible for heavy carbon emissions, but the construction and development sector is adapting to the need for sustainable housing. How are housing providers preparing to implement the Future Homes Standard? What is the role of MMC in sustainable construction? What new building approaches have the potential to achieve net zero construction at scale?

Green skills: the recruitment and retention challenge

There is currently a disconnect between the need for roles in sustainability, retrofit and energy, and the availability of staff and skills within the housing sector. To reach net zero by 2050, 350,000 new roles will need to be created in the construction industry by 2028 and the UK’s retrofit industry must grow by ten times. What is the role of training centres and academies in addressing the skills shortage at scale? How do we attract and retain the next generation of talent?

Tackling carbon reduction and disrepair through strategic asset management

Decarbonisation is only one part of the strategic problems housing providers must address. Landlords should ensure their strategy for delivering zero carbon homes considers and plans for identifying and responding to damp and mould in parallel. How are organisations aligning retrofit improvements with a long-term asset strategy that tackles multiple priorities including affordable warmth and health and well-being?

Energy saving advice: supporting households to reduce costs and consumption

The Chancellor’s autumn statement announced that the government will form an Energy Efficiency Taskforce, charged with driving improvements in energy efficiency to bring down bills for households, businesses, and the public sector. The Climate Change Committee has called on the UK government to improve energy-saving advice for households to help cut costs for consumers and the Treasury this winter. Where can households access advice and support to help with escalating energy bills?

Retrofit: how is the sector approaching hard-to-treat homes?

The UK has the oldest housing stock in Europe and 5 million of these are social and affordable homes. These homes are integral to local communities, but retrofitting to get to net zero is a major problem. What are the broader options for improving the energy efficiency of ‘hard to treat’ homes? How should we approach housing that may not be ready to reach net-zero by 2050? What is the future of stock rationalisation as we tackle building safety and net zero in tandem?

PAS 2035: delivery on the ground

PAS 2035 delivers a whole building approach to retrofit - considering all aspects of the home’s performance and occupancy before installation.

COP26+365 online summit

Consisting of five key sessions to inform your #netzero journey, join us to debate how we move forward on this vital agenda.

Net zero design: performing with purpose

At the heart of well-designed net zero homes is a focus on improving the energy and environmental performance of buildings, lowering operational costs and increasing tenant and resident satisfaction. What data are we collecting on our buildings to inform decisions? What are the challenges to effective net zero design? And what tools and methods should we be harnessing next?

Levelling up through net zero and ensuring a fair transition for all

In delivering net zero, decision makers have a duty to ensure they consider fairness and how the transition can benefit all. The levelling up white paper has set out a plan to transform the UK by spreading opportunity and prosperity to all parts of it, but excludes heavily referencing net zero. Net zero is a great example of how we can level up and should be factored into these new plans for regional economies. Join our panel of experts to explore how we can deliver a joined up approach to

Building better now, avoiding retrofit later

To ensure we are ready to meet the Future Homes Standard by 2025, new homes are expected to produce 31% lower carbon emissions from 2022. New build homes will need to be proofed with low-carbon heating systems and high levels of energy efficiency – what is being done to achieve this? What are the investment costs towards more efficient and higher quality new builds now to avoid the retrofit costs later?

Funding the green home revolution

It will take a significant amount of funding to deliver net zero commitments. Against a backdrop of initiatives, some with grant funding, our panel advises on incentives and support available for net zero programme delivery. We explore how the sector is engaging with government on the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund and the Heat Pump Ready Now scheme and we hear how organisations are planning for the finance required to implement PAS 2035 and the Heat and Building strategy.

Clean heat: costs, skills and procurement solutions

From 2025, gas boilers are on the out. Our panel will talk us through the challenges and successes of projects utilising alternative heating options including heat pumps, low-carbon heat networks, and hydrogen. We hear how these providers are approaching the widening skills gap that evolving technologies bring, and how they’re ensuring affordability and support for tenants and residents is central in the decarbonisation of home heating.

Funding guidance workshop for Wave 2 of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund

This workshop will equip you to understand the steps to make your retrofit project SHDF wave 2 ready and successful. Understand how to access the BEIS funded programme of support available to all Registered Providers of Social Housing, the Social Housing Retrofit Accelerator (SHRA) to be ‘bid-ready’

Green placemaking: biodiversity at the heart of resilient communities

The recently published IPCC report highlights the fundamental need to protect wild places and wildlife to cope with the climate crisis. The government has also set out proposals in the biodiversity net gain consultation to ensure nature and biodiversity gain are at the heart of all new housing developments, to help communities, planners and developers ensure decision-making and design are nature positive. So, how is the housing sector approaching biodiversity net gain?

The housing link to transport decarbonisation

Traffic-free transport such as walking, and cycling have been a core focus of the places we create to encourage greener and healthier living. Now, following the government announcement that new homes will be required to have EV charging stations from 2022, we must also consider the practicalities of installing and operating EV charging within housing developments as an additional step towards transport decarbonisation.

Short and long term: our net zero priorities

We look across the sector to address how we set our short term net zero priorities with a view that they match our long term ambitions. In the wake of COP26, where all parties agreed more urgency was needed, we hear from UK Green Building Council, HACT, Aico, Connect Housing Association and Citizens Advice explaining what their thoughts are and how we can address these goals together.

Living net zero - taking people with us

We begin the year talking about the vital role we all have in this work. This session will explore how we can encourage tenants to lead in the creation of sustainable communities, and how we take our people with us in the zero carbon transition.

WEBINAR RECORDINGS

UNLOCK NET ZERO WEBINARS

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