Going green means opportunities for SMEs

The built environment has an important role to play in meeting targets to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050.  This includes retrofitting existing buildings to perform more efficiently - which is estimated to represent a spend of over £100 billion over the next 20 years.

The Institute's £5 million FLASH programme, part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, will equip London SMEs with skills to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the move towards a greener economy.

Working with leading trade and industry bodies, the Institute is establishing networks of London-based SMEs working in construction or other built environment industries, technologies and professions.  Through these networks we will be sharing recent and relevant sustainability research and best practice gathered through Institute projects and those of our partners.

C2010 Matt Johnston

This will include information on developments in residential retrofit via the Institute's partnership with the Technology Strategy Board and their 'Retrofit for the Future' house retrofit research programme.  The 'Retrofit for the Future' project includes 100 homes across the UK, including 26 in London, undergoing deep level retrofit intervention.  Each project is being designed and delivered by consortia made up of a cross section of the supply chain including architects, contractors and manufacturers.  

Working with ‘Retrofit for the Future' project leaders the Institute is able to capture what works and what doesn't on live projects and share the findings with SMEs. 

For more information about the FLASH programme contact Neil Johnston neil.johnston@instituteforsustainability.org.uk