Welcome to the first newsletter from the Welsh Zero Carbon Hwb (WZCH). We encourage you to keep up to date with us through our LinkedIn and emails. Additionally, please forward this newsletter to those who may find the information provided useful.
Read on to learn about our year 1 annual report, new e-learning resources, case studies and upcoming events.
We hope you’ll find this newsletter informative and valuable.
Read our year 1 annual report
We’re excited to announce the release of our year 1 annual report on the Welsh Zero Carbon Hwb. Established in May 2023, the WZCH was commissioned by ClwydAlyn Housing with funding from the Welsh Government.
The initiative, backed for three years, aims to create a knowledge-sharing hub to help meet Wales’ carbon reduction goals in both new and existing homes. In our initial phase, we have been developing resources, online functionality via our website, carried out surveys and consultations and formed four Industry Advisory Groups. Our initial focus is the social housing sector.
We also aim to be a central resource for best practices, drawing from innovative UK projects. WZCH is funded by the Welsh Government and guided by a steering group including Welsh Government, ClwydAlyn, CHC Cymru, and others. Key delivery partners include Energy Saving Trust, Good Homes Alliance and TrustMark.
Our new e-learning training course
The WZCH’s training course is now live! This course has been designed to support housing association site inspectors and project managers.
We have developed the course in collaboration with industry experts to cover the essential knowledge and skills required to meet net zero standards for both new build and retrofit projects.
This course will also highlight common pitfalls and strategies to avoid them ensuring homes meet industry standards.
The training programme covers nine modules, each focusing on aspects of net zero housing and is available through our online learning platform:
- Background to Welsh Social Housing Policies and Regulations
- Foundation: An Introduction to Sustainable Building
- PAS 2030/2035: Retrofit for Site Inspectors and Project Managers
- Monitoring, Reporting and Reducing Carbon Emissions
- Heat Pumps and Solar PV guidelines
- Airtightness: Retrofit of Homes
- Heat Loss in New Build Homes
- Modern Construction Methods for New Build Homes
- Ventilation: Retrofit and New Build Homes
- Building Performance Evaluation (BPE) in Practice
Upon completion, participants will be awarded a certificate detailing the modules they have successfully passed.
The course is free of charge for the first 200 registrants in Wales for those who work for a local authority or housing association. We envisage the course modules being available to learners outside of Wales in the near future.
Case study webinar
A webinar will be held on Wednesday 20 November 10am-12noon. This meeting is to demonstrate how to upload Optimised Retrofit Programme (ORP) and Innovative Housing Programme (IHP) case studies on the Welsh Zero Carbon Hwb website. Invites will be sent out via Welsh Government. The webinar is for all social landlords in Wales.
Upcoming events
The following organisations organise events you may find useful:
The national body for housing associations in Wales, CHC supports its members to provide affordable housing and services. It advocates for policies that promote community well-being and sustainable housing solutions.
This organisation champions tenant participation and engagement in housing decisions across Wales, ensuring tenants have a voice in shaping housing policy and service delivery.
Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH)
A UK-based professional body for people involved in housing, CIH supports the housing sector by providing training, resources, and advocacy to improve housing standards.
An innovation foundation focused on social good, Nesta works across various sectors, including housing, to foster creative solutions for societal challenges. It emphasises sustainability, technology, and policy innovation.
Constructing Excellence in Wales (CEW)
CEW promotes best practices in the Welsh construction industry, encouraging efficiency, sustainability, and collaboration through shared learning, events, and awards.