Retrofit
Green Skills
Talan provides data-driven green skills and jobs insight at a regional and national level, using our industry contacts on the ground and economic modelling capabilities. Our reports have been used to provide the evidence and business case for local skills funding. As authors of the Local Government Association’s report on green skills and several regional reports for local and combined authorities, our team has a wealth of experience in developing evidence based reports to support local decision making and national policy advocacy activities.
Combining deep low-carbon policy knowledge, with our team’s economic modelling capabilities and industry and academic stakeholder network, we can assess the current state of green employment in regional areas and evidence evolving skills gaps as the UK transitions to net zero. Our ongoing work with several trade associations (including Hydrogen UK, the Heat Pump Association, the National Insulation Association and the Sustainable Energy Association) on government policy, training, and skills, enables our team to contribute proprietary knowledge to green skills and jobs research.
Our team is experienced at undertaking qualitative and quantitative research with a particular specialism in green skills. We have supported the development of regional and sub-regional policy in relation to energy efficiency, infrastructure development and skills and training. We have extensive networks throughout the energy efficiency and low carbon heat supply chain with strong relationships with key actors for example MCS, the Retrofit Academy, heat pump manufacturers, energy efficiency installers, trade associations and energy advice agencies.
Energy Efficiency
The UK has some of the most poorly insulated homes in Europe. Heat from buildings accounts for 23% of the UK’s carbon emissions, so taking strides to improve the efficiency of our buildings is essential if we are to meet our 2050 Net Zero targets. Historically, the UK has struggled to tackle this problem, with various retrofit programmes being introduced and then removed, sometimes at short notice. This causes confusion for householders and uncertainty in the market and means progress to improve the energy efficiency of our buildings has historically been slow.
However, installing measures such as cavity wall and loft insulation, solid wall insulation, double glazing and draught proofing can have a significant impact. Not only does it reduce the amount of heat a building wastes and the associated carbon emissions, but it also helps to bring energy bills down at a time when the cost-of-living crisis is causing serious challenges for many people.
Talan UK, as Gemserv, has been at the heart of the energy efficiency and retrofit market for over a decade. From our role as the Green Deal Oversight and Registration Body (GB ORB), through to more recent work with the Greater London Authority (GLA) to deliver their Warmer Homes 3 programme, we have been supporting both those on low incomes and the able to pay sector to improve the efficiency of their homes.
We support the development of the ECO+ scheme (now Great British Insulation Scheme) and programme delivery support with Agility Eco to deliver the National Grid’s Connected for Warmth Insulation programme. Supporting Turner and Townsend to deliver the Social Housing Retrofit Accelerator service has also given us an insight into the complex requirement for retrofit in the social housing sector.
Insulation is an absolutely fundamental role to play in our decarbonisation journey, and to help support people through the cost-of-living crisis too.
Heat Pumps
There are about 30 million buildings in the UK. In total, these buildings are responsible for around 30% of our national emissions. The vast majority of these emissions result from heating: 79% of buildings emissions and about 23% of all UK emissions. Decarbonising heating is critical to achieving net zero.
The UK has committed to installing 600,000 heat pumps per year by 2028. Current statistics show that heat pump sales are increasing yearly, with Government now supporting over 40,000 installations per year. A tenfold increase is required in the coming years.
Talan is working with industry and Government to facilitate the role out of heat pump technology at scale. Our experience includes:
- Advice and secretariat support to leading industry trade associations
- Economic analysis and strategic advice to property portfolio holders including social housing providers
- Supporting the transition for heating engineers and encouraging new entrants to the installation supply chain
- Strategic advice to major manufacturers and contractors active in the heat pump market alongside new entrants and prospective investors
- Support for large-scale heat pump deployment through the Green Heat Network Fund.
- Support for Heat Pump deployment in social housing properties via the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund
- Projects which enable heat pump deployment including energy efficiency improvements, heating distribution systems, smart controls and energy system flexibility
Our interaction with the policy framework for Heat Pump deployment extends to live policy debates over energy levies, energy performance certificates, the clean heat market mechanism, boiler upgrade scheme and minimum energy efficiency regulations.
If you would like to know more about our work with Retrofit, or would like to speak with one of our experts, please complete our contact us form and someone will get back to you shortly.
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