MAKING THE CASE FOR ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE HOME IMPROVEMENT SECTOR
The UK Government has committed to ‘net zero’ greenhouse emissions by 2050. That gives just 30 years to get our homes in order, and with UK housing accounting for almost 1/3 of carbon emissions the refurbishment maintenance and improvement (RMI) industry has a big part of play.
It would be hard to argue that there is no ethical and moral obligation on those working in the sector to find ways to reduce the climate impact caused by the maintenance and repair of homes; but is there an opportunity to support householders further providing information on the operation as well?
Other industries have shown that a viable alternative can be realised in the transition to low carbon, such as renewable energy production now being cheaper in the UK than coal or gas, and electric cars are anticipated to be significantly cheaper to buy and run than traditional ones by 2030.
That’s why during 2020 NHIC events bring together panels of experts from all sides of the home improvement sector to debate the case for a revolution in our approach to tackling the climate emergency, attendees will hear from speakers discussing:
- The cultural change needed to embrace action
- The opportunities for adopting new technology and practices across the repair, maintenance and improvement of homes
- The role of the householder in enabling change
- The role of the policymaker and legislator in enabling change
Both events will be held in prestigious venues and will be hosted by NHIC President Rt Hon Baroness Maddock and NHIC Chair Paul Everall CBE.
Through its corporate and associate membership, the NHIC represents almost 100,000 businesses carrying out millions of home improvement jobs each year, while delivering over 1million hours of CPD training each year. Representing 100's of trades and sub-trades NHIC
membership contributes over £13Bn each year to the UK Economy.
This makes the NHIC the most representative and influential body for Home Improvement professionals in the UK. The true voice of home improvement.
Anna Scothern Chief Executive at NHIC said “It's more than 40 years since the National Home Improvement Council was launched at a time when Britain's housing stock was in a very sad state. Over the years we have campaigned, lobbied and worked tirelessly across
our membership to help turn things around. But there remains much to be done and new challenges to address. This year’s events focused on the impact home improvements can have on achieving net-zero carbon ambitions will give members and non-members the opportunity to meet industry leaders and hear from thought leaders on making the case for action on climate change in the home improvement sector”.
The NHIC is an ambassador for collaborative action, working across the membership, wider industry and government to raise all homes up to modern living standards while inspiring and supporting householders to renovate, refurbish and improve their homes with confidence.
Both events, held in prestigious London venues will look at the benefits of adopting a fabric first approach to building improvements while also looking at green finance initiatives to fund home improvement works alongside the impact of technology innovations resulting from other low carbon initiatives such as the decarbonisation of the grid and the impact on future boilers to the introduction of electric vehicles and the impact on domestic energy storage and generation.
For more information please contact the NHIC chief executive directly at annascothern@nhic.org.uk
