Europe, UK (Commonwealth Union) – Funds exceeding £557 million from the government will bolster energy-efficient upgrades in schools, pools, and hospitals, aiming to slash emissions and expenses. This initiative, part of the government’s commitment to achieving world-leading net zero targets sustainably, emphasizes practical action.
With investments in heat pumps, solar panels, insulation, and low-energy lighting, the public sector will pivot away from fossil fuels, bolstering the UK’s energy autonomy and saving taxpayers substantial sums.
The UK, having already made significant strides towards halving emissions, remains committed to decarbonizing the public sector, an endeavor expected to yield annual savings of approximately £650 million by 2037.
Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, Lord Callanan, underscores the importance of support for diverse buildings in realizing the net zero vision, extending from school premises to the engines of our economy.
“By allocating over £557 million today, we are standing steadfast behind our public sector and local businesses, providing the help they need to make the switch to cleaner, homegrown energy.”
Since 2020, funding has been allocated to more than 1,000 projects aimed at enhancing thousands of buildings through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
The Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust is one of the beneficiaries that secured more than £21 million to decarbonize three buildings. This involves the installation of new heat pumps, alongside enhancements like wall, loft, and roof insulation, double glazing, and LED lighting.
Loughborough University, is another beneficiary that received more than £2 million to decarbonize its Olympic-size swimming pool. This endeavor entails replacing outdated gas-fired boilers with cleaner and more efficient heat pumps.
Additionally, the government has revealed the allocation of £27.5 million from the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund. This funding aims to assist businesses with significant energy consumption in lowering both their bills and carbon emissions through the implementation of new projects.
As energy costs remain a crisis across the globe, some of these government backed measures to cut energy costs that is environmentally friendly as well may serve as a guideline for other nations to adopt.
