Refurb and Retrofit - Transformation In Action

Leah Robson is an influential figure in the renewable energy industry, helming a burgeoning heat pump business that also provides solar panels, EV chargers, and batteries. Her venture, operating in the Southeast of England, is not just a business; it signifies a movement towards whole-house renewables aimed at significantly reducing homeowners' carbon footprints. With nearly six years at the company's forefront, Leah and her team of 14, comprising both installers and back office staff, embolden the transition to greener energy solutions.

• Heat pumps, coupled with other renewables like solar panels, provide a holistic solution for homeowners aiming to lower carbon emissions.
• Customer education and engagement are crucial in the renewable installation business, especially given misconceptions and gender dynamics in decision-making.
• Greater inclusion of women in technical and sales roles could enhance communication and facilitate the adoption of heat pumps.
• Combatting misinformation and increasing real-life testimonials may help shift public perception positively towards heat pumps.
• There's a pressing need for better apprenticeship pathways and support for small businesses to grow a skilled and diverse workforce in the heat pump industry.

What Leah Says:

• "You want to be having all those conversations up front." - Leah on the importance of customer understanding of technology.
• "But there's also a slight wariness about whether their wife is going to agree to it or not." - Leah on the gender dynamics within the purchasing decision for heat pumps.
• "We're really passionate about climate change, their concern for their kids and their grandchildren, and they want to be warm and comfortable." - Leah on the demographics and motivations of customers.
• "The majority of the people I deal with as customers are men." - Leah discussing the prevalent customer profile.
• "It's a big challenge to train enough people up." - Leah Robson on the challenges of workforce development in the industry.

Resources:

• Your Energy Your Way Website: https://yourenergyyourway.co.uk
• Leah Robson's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-robson-9538202

**Guest:** Imandeep Kaur, Co-founder of [Civic Square](https://civicsquare.cc)
**Host:** Matt Milloy
**Topic:** Community-led Retrofitting and the Role of Civic Engagement in Sustainable Housing
In this episode, Matt Milloy sits down with Imandeep Kaur, co-founder of Civic Square, to discuss the critical role that community-led approaches play in the successful retrofitting of neighborhoods. Civic Square’s innovative model bridges the gap between local councils, professional organizations, and grassroots communities to create sustainable, energy-efficient housing solutions. Imandeep shares valuable insights on how her organization addresses the knowledge gap around retrofitting, the emotional and social motivators that inspire community participation, and the long-term vision for scaling retrofit projects across the UK.
#### Key Discussion Points:
1. **Introduction to Civic Square**
Imandeep provides an overview of Civic Square’s mission and how the organization is driving change in Birmingham and beyond.
**More about Civic Square:** [Civic Square Website](https://civicsquare.cc)
2. **Neighborhood-Led Retrofit**
Imandeep explains the importance of community-driven initiatives in retrofit projects, and how Civic Square helps communities understand the process and benefits.
**Learn about UK Neighborhood Retrofit Models:** [UK Green Building Council](https://www.ukgbc.org/)
3. **Engaging Communities in Retrofit Projects**
Imandeep addresses the challenge of engaging communities and ensuring they feel empowered and knowledgeable enough to participate in retrofit schemes.
**More on community engagement in retrofit:** [Centre for Sustainable Energy](https://www.cse.org.uk/)
4. **Emotional Connection and Retrofit**
Imandeep shares how Civic Square creates emotional connections between residents and their homes, making retrofit projects more approachable and relatable.
**Discover how to foster emotional connections in community projects:** [Home of 2030](https://www.homeof2030.com/)
5. **Overcoming Complex Terminology**
Discussion on breaking down the technical jargon associated with retrofitting to make the process understandable for everyday homeowners.
**More resources for demystifying retrofit:** [Retrofit Academy](https://www.retrofitacademy.org/)
6. **Funding Challenges in Retrofit Projects**
Imandeep speaks about navigating the complex funding structures for retrofit, making it easier for communities to access the resources they need.
**Funding information for UK retrofitting:** [Energy Saving Trust Grants](https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/grants-and-loans/)
7. **Tipping Point for Community Involvement**
Imandeep discusses the key motivators that encourage communities to take part in retrofit projects, including environmental benefits and the improvement of living conditions.
**Case Study: Civic Square’s Birmingham Project** [Birmingham Retrofit Project](https://civicsquare.cc/blog/2022/1/22/neighbourhood-retrofit)
8. **Generational Shifts in Thinking About Sustainability**
The conversation turns to the cultural and generational shifts necessary to drive retrofitting at scale across the UK.
**Learn more about the generational challenge of sustainability:** [Generations Working Together](https://generationsworkingtogether.org/)
9. **Representation in Retrofit**
Imandeep reflects on the importance of diversity and representation in retrofitting to ensure that all communities benefit from energy-efficient housing.
**Representation and Diversity in Sustainability:** [Women in Sustainability](https://www.womeninsustainability.co.uk/)
10. **The Future of Civic Square and Neighborhood-Led Retrofit**
Closing the discussion, Imandeep shares her vision for Civic Square over the next few years and how she hopes to scale neighborhood-led retrofit projects across the country.
**Follow Civic Square’s Latest Projects:** [Civic Square Blog](https://civicsquare.cc/blog)
#### Quotable Highlights:
- **"We can’t just retrofit houses; we need to retrofit the way we think about community, sustainability, and the future of our neighborhoods."**
- **"Our role at Civic Square is to bridge the gap between councils, professional organizations, and everyday people—because retrofit isn’t just a technical solution, it’s a community solution."**
- **"When people emotionally connect with their homes, explaining the benefits of retrofit becomes much more than technical jargon—it’s about creating a future they can believe in."**
- **"We need a generational shift, a whole new way of thinking about retrofit—this is not just about buildings, it’s about building a sustainable future together."**
#### Links to Featured Organizations:
- [Civic Square](https://civicsquare.cc) – Imandeep’s community-led initiative focused on sustainable urban futures.
- [UK Green Building Council...

About the Guest(s):Mel Esquerre: Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, Mel is a private homeowner and active member of the Living Rent organization. With a vested interest in housing improvements, Mel has recently been involved in a campaign addressing the challenges and complications of the retrofit process initiated by Edinburgh Council.
Laura Dalgetty: Also residing in Edinburgh, Scotland, Laura is a homeowner in the Lochend area and an advocate for housing improvements through the organization Living Rent.
Key Takeaways:

• Complexities of Mandated Retrofits: Insight into how local councils are using Scottish law to enforce retrofits, often leaving homeowners in financially precarious positions.
  
• Mixed Tenure Housing Challenges: Understanding how mixed tenure blocks complicate the decision-making process and why clear communication and resident engagement are critical.
  
• Financial Anxieties and Legalities: The financial burden placed on low-income homeowners and renters due to undefined retrofit costs and the implications of the Tenement Act 2004.
  
• Living Rent's Advocacy: The role of Living Rent in supporting homeowners and tenants, advocating for improved communication, funding support, and private rental tenant protections.
  
• Personal Experiences: Mel and Laura's firsthand accounts highlight the flawed system and the need for a more empathetic, resident-focused approach to housing improvements.
  

Resources:

• Living Rent - An organization advocating for tenants' rights and fair housing policies in Scotland.
  
• Edinburgh Council - Official site providing resources and information on local governmental policies and housing projects.
  

Jamie Bartley is a leading authority on industrial hemp and the CEO of Unyte Group. With a background rooted in waste recovery solutions and land remediation, Jamie embarked on a mission to harness the power of industrial hemp for environmental sustainability and economic growth. His tenacious research into phyto-remediation and carbon sequestration has positioned him as a prominent figure in the field. Under his guidance, Unyte Group has taken an innovative approach to cultivating hemp, focusing on its potential to make substantial contributions towards decarbonization on a large scale and to revolutionize the construction industry with hemp-based materials.

• Industrial hemp has vast potential in decarbonizing the construction sector, which accounts for 40% of UK carbon emissions.
• Unyte Group's detailed research into various hemp cultivars has laid the groundwork for optimized cultivation and high yield in the UK.
• Hemp's high tensile strength and quick growth rate make it an ideal material for construction, offering environmental benefits over traditional materials.
• A significant barrier to expansion is acquiring the necessary £60 million capital investment for the first of five planned infrastructure facilities.
• Unyte Group has an assured market for its products among existing retrofit schemes and is ready to supply as soon as the infrastructure is established.

What Jamie Says:

• "We formed the group of companies around the potential for industrial hemp to decarbonize at scale." - Jamie Bartley
• "It's a cost efficiency scale calculation that means that, unfortunately, to be able to make cost efficient products, we need to have that infrastructure in place." - Jamie Bartley
• "If you build exactly the same passive house out of Hempcrete and hemp insulation, it achieves net zero carbon by 2035." - Jamie Bartley
• "All of our revenue generated comes through the waste business at the moment, but the majority of it is actually the retrofit works we're doing." - Jamie Bartley
• "The biggest barrier is unlocking the investment piece at the scale that's needed." - Jamie Bartley

Discover how the London Assembly's new report on retrofitting and refurbishing buildings could have a significant impact on local and national policy. The report outlines six key recommendations, including mandatory whole life carbon assessments for buildings and the publication of annual data to track progress. By making retrofitting more viable and promoting a circular economy approach, the report aims to reduce carbon emissions and waste in the construction sector. Find out how these recommendations could shape the future of sustainable building practices in the UK.
Read More Here https://www.refurbandretrofit.com/can-we-use-more-wood/
Here's the GLA Report in full: https://www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/what-london-assembly-does/london-assembly-work/london-assembly-publications/retrofit-vs-rebuild-report