Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) recently united with the National Home Decarbonisation Group (NHDG) and the Sustainable Energy Association (SEA) to discuss how devolved funding can be used to successfully deliver area-based retrofit projects that will boost communities across the region.
Representatives from GMCA — including Director of Environment Mark Atherton, Anees Mank, and Joe Crolla — congregated with NHDG members and Chief Executive Dave Sowden from the SEA to focus on local leadership, community-first solutions and delivery models that will see retrofit ambition turn into action in the north west.
Derek Horrocks, Chair of the NHDG, said: “Events like this, where influential members of the retrofit community bring passion and creativity to the table, are always extremely valuable. Through collaboration at scale, we can ensure no one is left behind, as we believe everyone is entitled to live in a warm, dry, healthy and affordable to heat home. Together, we can make this vision a reality through devolved funding — and GMCA can be a leader in the area-based retrofit approach that truly transforms residents’ lives.”
As well as an update on government plans for domestic retrofit policy from DESNZ’s Selvin Brown, those present discussed several components that have been identified as critical to successful area-based retrofit in Greater Manchester. The components include supply chain and skills, scalability and strategy, technology and innovation, and finance and investment.
Mark Atherton, Director of Environment at the GMCA, said: “Greater Manchester’s trailblazer devolution deal puts the city region at the vanguard of domestic retrofitting programmes. We are determined that these programmes will not only create warm and comfortable homes for our residents but will also translate into good quality, long-term jobs and growth for our local businesses. We see engaging with the supply chain, working with NHDG and SEA, as a vital component of achieving these aims.”
The event — held at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce — was sponsored by NHDG member Wates and SEA member Daikin.
Michael McGowan, Divisional Director at Wates, said: “Thank you to all who attended the GMCA event. It was wonderful to see and hear the collective commitment to delivering retrofit at scale across the combined authority. There was a genuine willingness to collaborate and share best practice for the betterment of the services we deliver to customers in their homes.
“The opportunity to deliver change in communities has never been greater, and Wates looks forward to working with partners in the region and nationally to ensure we provide warmer, healthier, safer homes for all — aligned to our purpose of reimaging places for people to thrive.”
Iain Bevan, New Business Director at Daikin, added: “Daikin UK is delighted to support this event with key stakeholders involved in the journey to net zero. Daikin UK has a long-standing relationship with both the SEA and Greater Manchester CA, both of whom continue to support forward thinking and provide insight into continued decarbonisation. The ideas and discussion provided by all attendees at these events is invaluable in helping remove barriers to decarbonisation.”
To learn more about the NHDG, its aims and its members, please visit the website at: https://www.nhdg.org
