The vital role that community engagement has in decarbonising the UK’s housing stock was in the spotlight as Acivico Group presented at a ‘Delivering Net Zero’ event at the University of Reading.
The event gave Acivico an opportunity to highlight to attendees the challenges that exist within the sector and how its work factors into the national net zero aims.
Ying Man, Associate Director of Sustainability at Acivico Group co-presented at the event alongside Nigel Lloyd, Civil Engineer, ethical entrepreneur, and chair of local Birmingham community association group, Acocks Greener.
The event was used as an opportunity to showcase to attendees the work Acivico has conducted as part of the Local Authority Delivery Phase 3 (LAD3) project, a £7 million programme of works to retrofit nearly 700 properties in Balsall Heath, Birmingham.
The project involved making building improvements to increase energy efficiency performance to help reduce fuel consumption and costs, lower carbon emissions and create more comfortable and healthier living environments for residents.
Ying Man, Associate Director of Sustainability at Acivico Group, said:
“The event at University of Reading gave us a wonderful opportunity to showcase to others how we have successfully delivered our retrofit projects as well as a chance to discuss ways we can further accelerate our targets to become net zero.
“We believe that community and resident engagement are both fundamental to reducing carbon emissions and the success of our LAD3 project is testament to that notion. Reaching national net zero targets will be a collaborative effort so educating others on the importance of switching to sustainable energy is vital.”
Ying has previously worked on a plethora of housing grant schemes and was involved in the first scheme for retrofit works under the London Mayor’s Warmer Homes scheme; a £4m project retrofitting properties for residents on benefits.
Nigel Lloyd: Chair of Acocks Greener CIC, professional development consultant, civil engineer, added:
“Acivico Group’s work in some of the poorer suburbs of Birmingham showcases the importance of empowering local community groups, like the MECC Trust and Acocks Greener, to take the lead in helping residents to access the retrofit grants, obtain the appropriate measures and overcome any difficulties.
“With funding support from Acivico, the community groups were able to help both the residents, many with English as a second language, or old and with health problems, and the contractors to work to tight time-scales and achieve high levels of satisfaction. Helping ordinary people to benefit from retrofit not only tackled their fuel poverty, comfort and health issues, but encouraged the more sceptical and more vulnerable to follow suit.
“Overcoming distrust and achieving good communication are vital in moving to net zero and preparing for climate change..”