Government Allocates £557m to Decarbonise Public Buildings

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• Government Allocates £557m to Decarbonise Public Buildings

15 May 2024

The government has announced its next phase of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, which aims to reduce emissions from public sector buildings by 75 per cent by 2037, compared to a 2017 baseline.

Over 1,000 projects have now received funding since 2020 to upgrade thousands of buildings, including Greater Manchester Combined Authority who received £15.5 million to install low carbon heating in locations such as including Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, the University of Salford, the National Football Museum and Manchester University.

The latest announcement pledges over £557 million of investment for low-carbon technology upgrades such as low-energy lighting, solar panels and heat pumps. One of the new projects that will receive extra funding is the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, who has been awarded over £21 million to install new heat pumps in three of its buildings, alongside other measures including wall, loft and roof insulation, double glazing and LED lighting.

Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust Chief Executive Cara Charles-Barks said: “We are beginning to make great strides to reduce our emissions, through initiatives such as decommissioning our entire nitrous oxide manifold and a sustainable travel plan.”

This grant is therefore invaluable. It will enable us to make these essential changes in the coming years and will have a positive impact on the environment and the experience of being in hospital. We know that getting this right will be better for the health and wellbeing of the people we care for, the people we work with and the people in our community.”

Surrey County Council has also been awarded over £5 million to cut emissions across its estate, including six libraries, four nursing homes and two community centres.

These changes are predicted to save the government an estimated £650 million per year on average to 2037.

Picture: a graphic showing a blue sky with clouds in the shape of the word "CO2". Image Credit: Unsplash

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 15 May 2024

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