Businesses must seize the opportunities from decarbonising heat

Businesses should be excited by the transition to low-carbon heat. Businesses themselves will operate in more energy efficient buildings through improvements in insulation, lighting and general energy management.

However, for these opportunities to be realised, Business will need clear signals from government, with guaranteed long-term commitments through supportive market interventions and infrastructure developments to help make the necessary investment in reskilling the workforce and manufacturing capacity in order to deliver the heating solutions that will be needed.

The skills and supply chain requirements are also significant, and government will need to work with businesses and training providers to ensure that we have the industrial and installation capacities to undertake this major infrastructure project. At a time of significant uncertainty about the health of the economy and availability of jobs, there is an even greater need to plan for and deliver these skills and employment opportunities in a way that provides opportunities throughout the country.

Additionally, due to the UK’s low-carbon expertise combined with its globally renowned financial sector, it is in a unique position to be a world leader on clean growth – which includes low-carbon heat. As the UK moves into a new trading relationship with the EU and the rest of the world, climate action and the growth of low-carbon exports should be viewed as priorities for new export and trade strategies. Developing low-carbon technology and service exports will help maintain the UK’s record of growth while delivering emissions reduction both at home and abroad.