Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to invest £259m to improve energy efficiency in 26,000 homes and 30 public buildings in latest net zero drive. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (CA) is to invest £259m to make homes and businesses more energy efficient.

As part of its drive to get the city region to net zero by 2035, 26,000 homes and 30 public buildings will be retrofitted with energy-saving measures in a five-year “carbon action plan”.

This new investment includes £112m to help social housing providers retrofit up to 18,000 homes. A further £117m would be distributed via a local grants scheme to around 8,000 homeowners and private renters.

£30m will also go towards retrofitting energy-saving measures at 30 public buildings, including historic town halls, across the city region. Investment in the scheme could rise to almost £400m over three years.

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said: “This significant investment demonstrates our ambition to lead the way in tackling the climate crisis while improving the everyday lives for people across Liverpool city region.

By upgrading thousands of homes and public buildings, we’re not only making them greener and more energy efficient but also helping to keep homes warmer and energy bills more affordable.

The CA has already secured £105m to retrofit 10,000 homes with typical upgrades including triple-glazed windows and doors, wall and loft insulation, new roofs and interior ventilation.

Under this latest initiative the Combined Authority is looking to secure investment for home improvements under the Government’s Warm Homes scheme.

A new partnership with 24 housing associations will benefit from a £112m grant from the Warm Homes Social Housing Fund. Match funding could make a total investment of £221m. 

This will retrofit energy efficiency measures in up to 8,500 homes in the city region with a further 10,000 delivered across the wider North-West.

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Individual homeowners and private tenants can invest in home improvements by applying to a £117m fund provided by the Warm Homes Local Grant Fund. This could include heat pumps, and wall and loft insulation.

Private homes account for the majority of carbon emissions, while public buildings are responsible for 13% of the total.  The city region’s six local authorities and the Combined Authority (CA) own more than 600 buildings that emit almost 77,000 tonnes of CO2.