The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) has held an event in the House of Commons to launch its strategy paper: ‘Heating Up to Net Zero: Piecing together the Sustainable Future’.
The event was chaired by Stewart Clements, HHIC’s director, and the keynote speaker was Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Energy Consumers). 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). The event was attended by members of HHIC, key stakeholders in the heating industry and government representatives and there were great proactive discussions between the attendees.
The future strategy paper focusses 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, Miatta Fahnbulleh MP 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.”
The HHIC stated that its strategy document sets out the policy direction and recommendations which will need to be enacted if net zero is to become a reality. From the need to re-skill the installer base to government incentives to drive consumer uptake of new and emerging heating technologies, and from new and updated regulatory measures to adopting national standards, the HHIC said it believes these are important and positive steps in the right direction.
Stewart Clements added: “It is important that all the different stakeholders involved – industry organisations, government, manufacturers, regulatory bodies, installers, and local authorities need to work together to ensure the UK achieves its goal in building a truly fair and sustainable future.”