A major funding boost has been secured to build the skills capacity of local small businesses so they can undertake domestic retrofits and help Haringey become a carbon neutral borough.
Homes produce 50 per cent of the borough’s total carbon emissions and it is estimated more than 100,000 will require energy efficiency and decarbonising retrofits to meet the 2041 net zero target.
Haringey is one of just 21 local authorities to have successfully bid for an equal share of a £6m pot to implement a two-year outreach and mentoring programme for Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs).
Funds from Fast Followers, part of Innovate UK’s Net Zero Living Programme, will help increase the capacity and capability of local SMEs to install measures such as external wall and loft insulation, energy efficient doors and windows, heat pumps and solar panels.
In January this year, the council announced it was setting aside £100m to begin an ambitious decarbonisation retrofit of council stock.
Cllr Mike Hakata, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Environment and Transport, said:
We’re passionate about tackling the climate emergency and ensuring there is a just transition as we move to a low-carbon future, so are delighted to have secured this funding.
With housing accounting for half of Haringey’s emissions, this project will bring huge benefits by building the capability of local small businesses to undertake all-important retrofits which reduce emissions.
As with all council programmes aimed at tackling climate change this has multiple co-benefits, including reducing energy bills for residents, improving indoor air quality as well as dovetailing with our drive to continue to build a local skills base and invest in our local supply chain and economy.
