NatWest Launches Free Retrofit Training Programme for Construction Sector

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22 August 2023

A free platform to help construction workers learn about addressing climate change through retrofitting has been launched by NatWest and the Supply Chain Sustainability School.

NatWest Group is the Supply Chain Sustainability School's first partner within the finance sector, with the shared aim to build capability and capacity to accelerate retrofitting of UK buildings to make them more energy efficient.

Bodies such as The Building Engineering Services Association predicts that a failure to retrofit commercial buildings to meet net-zero targets could ignite a new energy crisis. Buildings contribute 40 per cent of the UK's carbon emissions and as 80 per cent of the buildings that will be standing in 2050 already exist, the UK simply cannot deliver against its net-zero ambitions without significant retrofitting of its buildings. The government has estimated that the cost of decarbonising UK public sector buildings is estimated to be £25-30 billion. 

This new platform offers free training covering retrofit as well as 17 key sustainability topics including energy & carbon, waste & circular economy and more.

The programme will be unveiled through a virtual conference taking place on 7 November, 2023 and you can register for the launch event here by signing up to a free account on the Supply Chain Sustainability School.

Ian Heptonstall, Director of the Supply Chain Sustainability School, commented: “Our mission is to enable a sustainable built environment through knowledge and collaboration, however most of our work to date has focused on new builds. To truly fulfil our mission, we must pivot towards the existing building stock, crafting and delivering learning experiences that empower the UK to retrofit its structures with cutting-edge technologies and systems, positioning us to fulfil our Net Zero commitments. We look forward to tackling climate change through retrofit with NatWest Group.”

James Close, Head of Climate Change at NatWest Group added: “As one of the largest lenders in the UK, we have a key role to play in supporting consumers and businesses in transitioning to more energy efficient homes and buildings that are warmer, cheaper to heat, and generate lower emissions.

“Decarbonising properties will require retrofitting existing buildings to increase their energy efficiency, constructing new energy efficient buildings and decarbonisation of electricity and heating supply. We want to work at scale to increase demand. But we need the skills and companies to carry out the work and we also want to make it as easy for our customers to retrofit as possible.  Our collaboration with the Supply Chain Sustainability School will help cultivate a more mature retrofit supply chain, share knowledge and build the skills needed to retrofit homes and buildings across the UK.”

Picture: a photograph of some houses with solar panels on the roofs. Image Credit: Marcin Rogozinski

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 22 August 2023

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