Decarbonisation

Fuel poverty sits at the heart of Wales’ decarbonisation objectives, with an estimated 45% of households in fuel poverty as a result of the cost of living crisis.

Housing associations have led the way in driving down carbon emissions of their homes through the Optimised Retrofit Programme, and significantly improved the quality of homes achieved by the Welsh Housing Quality Standard. However, housing associations are ambitious to go further and are committed to retrofitting existing homes to zero carbon standards.

Furthermore, housing associations are eager to explore and invest in renewable and local energy projects and carbon capture programmes, which can decarbonise not just homes but services, businesses and communities. They are committed to playing their part to help tackle the climate emergency by becoming a low-carbon sector across all of their activities.

Housing associations' decarbonisation programmes have the potential to create thousands of good quality jobs in Wales, providing a local boost to the economy. Tenant engagement is also vital throughout this process, so that they can benefit from living in higher energy efficient homes, which are more sustainable to run.

Our priorities:

• To work with Welsh Government to influence a sustainable financial settlement to decarbonise social homes, supported by a deliverable road map which supports local investment.

• To provide housing associations with the tools to decarbonise their homes in a way that supports local businesses, jobs and supply chains.

• To explore how housing associations can effectively engage with their tenants on decarbonisation.

How we develop this area of work

Our Future Homes member community is central to horizon scanning the challenges and opportunities for the sector.

We do this by hosting in-person and online spaces for discussion, as well as facilitating shared learning between members and partners through a calendar of topical events. Where clearly defined objectives have been identified, we address these through task and finish groups.

CHC sits on Welsh Government’s Decarbonisation Implementation Group where we influence policy and decision making. For more information on how we develop policy, click here.