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Dean Fazackerley, Head of Technical Procurement at public sector framework provider LHC Procurement Group (LHC), sets out LHC’s net zero position in light of recent policy changes.

While Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has scrapped the Government’s energy efficiency policies, including delaying plans to ban the installation of new gas boilers until 2035, he has nonetheless reaffirmed the commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

For LHC, these revised plans change very little: we have been dedicated to driving innovation through our energy efficiency focused frameworks for over 30 years now and we will continue to prioritise efforts in this area.

It’s worth remembering that the new target dates are exactly that – targets – and don’t alter the need to forge ahead with retrofitting Britain’s homes and other buildings to make vital improvements to their efficiency and energy usage. Whatever the political messaging, the reason that these targets have been put in place remains – we are in a climate emergency.

The exact scale of the task varies depending on who you ask, but we know it is huge. The social housing sector owns 4.4 million properties in the UK, while – according to the Climate Change Committee – there are 1.9 million non-domestic public buildings.

It is perhaps a positive coincidence that the Government’s policy changes have come just as we have begun the initial engagement with stakeholders to help shape the development of our latest energy efficiency framework.

As part of our pre-tender engagement process, we are working closely with public sector organisations to identify opportunities to futureproof the framework as much as possible for the years to come. Whatever the political landscape, improving the performance of our buildings and reducing energy costs is essential. So, too, is capitalising on the investment in skills and technology that many have already made to deliver a more sustainable built environment.

Delivering net zero now 

LHC has over 30 years’ experience in the energy efficiency sector, helping contracting authorities implement technical building measures and home improvement programmes.

While we are developing our Retrofit and Decarbonisation (N9) framework, our Energy Efficiency Measures and Associated Works (N8) framework is still live until November 2024.

This was launched to help local authorities, social landlords, and other public bodies to source specialist suppliers who can install a variety of carbon-cutting improvement measures for domestic and public buildings and can also carry out any associated repairs and retrofit work.

The framework covers the procurement of 21 individual energy efficiency measures across the UK as well as providing a multi-disciplinary offer. The Energy Efficiency Consultancy Services (N8C) framework complements the N8 framework to help contracting authorities source firms that specialise in energy efficiency.

Find out more about N9 and keep to date with its development here: Retrofit and Decarbonisation (N9) framework,

To learn more about how N8 can support you today visit: Efficiency Measures and Associated Works (N8)