Liverpool hosts first retrofit conference

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13 January 2022
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Set against the backdrop of the growing energy costs crisis, Low Carbon Homes’ first retrofit conference of 2022 seeks to kick-start the energy efficiency improvement of Liverpool City Region homes – at scale.

Hosted by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) the event will feature 17 speakers from across the UK to share best practice, encourage collaboration and promote action.

The online event will be staged over three mornings (January 18-20) and will explore the opportunity of a person-centred approach to retrofit scale-up across the city region. 

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “I want the Liverpool City Region to be at the forefront of the green industrial revolution, leading the charge towards net zero, and taking advantage of the wide range of new jobs and investment that it will provide. From our existing strengths in wind and solar power, to revolutionary new projects like HyNet and our Mersey Tidal Power scheme, our region has the potential to be Britain’s Renewable Energy Coast – with local people benefiting from the employment and training opportunities.

“Up to half of all heat loss in our homes comes from poor insulation, so we’ve made it a priority to retrofit homes across our region up to a decent standard starting with our most vulnerable communities. Improving the energy efficiency of our homes is much kinder to the environment – and much kinder on people’s finances, especially during a period of rising energy bills.

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“So far, we have invested nearly £40m improving around 3,600 homes across the region. But we still have a way to go. If the government is as serious as we are about reaching our net zero targets, they need to work with us to secure the investment needed to help us get there.”

The first morning showcases projects already underway across the region, including local community-led projects and the support available from LJMU. Day two includes a review of the recent Tenants Climate Jury work conducted by the Northern Housing Consortium and showcases other person-centric approaches to tackle fuel poverty and heat decarbonisation, and on day three the public engagement elements of the Government’s new Heat and Buildings Strategy is explained by BEIS, while other sessions consider the challenges and opportunities surrounding low carbon skills and workforce development for the region.

"We are delighted to be supporting the Low Carbon Homes Event once again. The event in 2021 brought everyone together and we were all enthusiastic to build on the momentum. Throughout the past year, partners across Liverpool City Region have come together to develop a knowledge share platform that will be a key driver for collaboration amongst the Housing sector".  Tony Seasman, Project Manager, Clean Growth UK at LJMU.

Speakers:

  • Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region
  • Tony Seasman, LJMU
  • Neale Davies , LJMU
  • Iain Carr, Kensa Contracting
  • Paul Barlow, Stelrad
  • Kevin Clarke, Procure Plus
  • Paul Kelly, director, Liverpool City Region Community-led Housing Hub
  • Liam Gregson, member engagement manager, Northern Housing Consortium
  • Simon Brown, Panasonic
  • Louise Marix Evans, People Powered Retrofit, Carbon Coop
  • Oliver Baker, Ambion Heating
  • Matt Aylott, electrification of heat lead, BEIS
  • Ian Rippin, CEO MCS
  • Emma Link, industry analyst, CITB
  • Michael Norton, deputy principal, Wirral Metropolitan College
  • Matt Ratcliff, MD, Osmosis ACD
  • Tracy Gordon, lead officer - housing partnerships, Liverpool City Region

Registration for the Liverpool event closes at 4pm, Monday January 17 and further events will be held throughout 2022.

Registration for all events is open here.