The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson last week announced plans for a new, 10-point green plan which will create 250,000 jobs and spearhead the country’s work towards bringing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.
The programme is estimated to cost £12b with an emphasis on the expansion of both hydrogen and nuclear power in the UK. The plan will create an extra 250,000 jobs, most of which will be centred around the north of England, the Midlands, Scotland and Wales.
Despite its ambitious scope, the plan has come under criticism from environmental groups and political opposition. The Shadow Business Secretary, Ed Miliband said, “People are losing their jobs now, this isn’t fundamentally a green stimulus, it’s nowhere near the scale of what is required.”
As well as nuclear and hydrogen power, the plan will focus on wind, public transport, cycling and walking, homes and public buildings and innovation and finance.
Up until September, there was no initiative or assistance from government to help homeowners improve the energy efficiency of their homes, with the UK’s housing stock being some of the most inefficient in the world in terms of energy efficiency. Now the Green Homes Grant Scheme has been introduced and the Prime Minister’s new ‘green revolution’ there will be much more emphasis on improving homes in the UK.
Coupled with the emergence of the new PAS 2035 Standard for whole house retrofit, Energy Assessors, Green Deal Advisors and now Retrofit Assessors and Coordinators will see an upturn in demand as both schemes begin to build momentum.
However, for more Installers and Assessors to sign up to practice with the Green Homes Grant, the scheme must be extended beyond its current end date of March 2021. Indeed, the Property Energy Professionals Association and Stroma Director of Energy Certification, Andrew Parkin, called for the extension of the Green Homes Grant scheme in late October.
The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson said, “Although this year has taken a very different path to the one we expected, I haven’t lost sight of our ambitious plans to level up across the country. My Ten Point Plan will create, support and protect hundreds of thousands of green jobs, whilst making strides towards net zero by 2050.”
The scheme will undoubtedly signal an uplift in excitement and publicity surrounding the UK’s energy industry and will usher in further emphasis for energy assessment, the new EPC register and PAS 2025.
Stroma Certification’s Director of Energy Certification, Andrew Parkin said, “Stroma Certification welcomes the intensions behind the 10 point plan, and indeed, anything that raises the profile of the environment, focussing on reducing carbon emissions whilst helping to support the industry and grow the economy is welcome news. However, this needs to be more than an outline plan, it needs to have bite and detail. We need solid investment to grow an industry that will support the hundreds of thousands of jobs quoted, as well as bringing confidence for employers and business owners to invest to create these jobs.
Unfortunately, we have seen the beginnings of these plans being watered down already, so the government needs to be steadfast in their resolve to making these commitments a reality and focus on the bigger picture at play. Carbon neutral homes by 2030, existing buildings meeting EPC C within the same time period, replacing fossil fuels as an energy source for heating, hot water and electricity are all key to making this plan a reality. Cross party support is also needed so a collaborative government is required. All eyes turn towards the upcoming spending review to see what detail is contained within.”
To learn more about Stroma Certification’s CPD, Training and DEA and Retrofit certification schemes please follow the links.
CPD Training DEA Certification Retrofit Assessor Certification Retrofit Coordinator Certification