The launch was chaired by HHIC Director, Stewart Clements, alongside keynote speaker, the Minister for Energy Consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh.
Other speakers included Henrik Juhl Hansen, Chair of HHIC, Jeff House, Chair of the HHIC Policy Group, and Mike Foster, CEO of the Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA). Other members of HHIC, key stakeholders in the heating industry, and government representatives were also in attendance.
Titled ‘Heating Up to Net Zero: Piecing together the Sustainable Future’, the paper focuses on the importance of the collaborative approach across industry and government that will be needed to reach net zero, while supporting and protecting consumers as they decarbonise their homes.
In her keynote speech, the Minister said: “Decarbonising our housing stock is not going to be easy. It will take time. But I hope that it is clear that this national mission is already well underway, with government fully committed to working with you to unlock the benefits of this agenda.
“Warm and efficient homes, powered by clean, renewable, British energy are within our grasp. And we look forward to continuing to work with you all as we seek to deliver on that energy promise we made to every household in Britain.”
Re-skilling installers and driving consumer uptake
The HHIC strategy document, ‘Heating up to Net Zero: Piecing together the Sustainable Future’, sets out the policy direction and recommendations which will need to be enacted if net zero is to become a reality.
These include the need to re-skill the installer base, government incentives to drive consumer uptake of new and emerging heating technologies and new and updated regulatory measures to adopting national standards.
Stewart Clements said: “It is important that all the different stakeholders involved – industry organisations, government, manufacturers, regulatory bodies, installers and local authorities – work together to ensure the UK achieves its goal in building a truly fair and sustainable future.”
Image credit: HHIC. Mike Foster, Miatta Fahnbulleh and Stewart Clements
