North Wales builders’ merchants gear up to support a low carbon future

Builders’ merchants across North Wales are gearing up to play a key role in delivering a low carbon future for the country, under a landmark scheme.

The Welsh Government’s £19.5 million Optimised Retrofit Programme will help local authority and housing association tenants and the environment by reducing the amount of carbon produced in powering and heating homes.

Designed to contribute to the Welsh Government’s efforts to decarbonise all 1.4 million Welsh homes by 2050, a major element of the scheme is to revitalise the regional economy by using local contractors and local merchants.

Members of the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) are supporting the drive for greener homes, providing products in their communities that can deliver significant improvement to air quality and energy use.

Mike Jones of C.L. Jones, a family-run Timber and Builders merchant, located across Gwynedd, Conwy and Anglesey, said: “BMF members provide the materials, products and expertise needed to de-carbonise our homes.

“Fitting energy-efficient, low emission and water-saving measures in properties across North Wales will be key to achieving sustainability goals.

“Highly efficient low or zero carbon heating solutions, coupled with better insulation and the small-scale generation of heat and electric power by individual householders, will be the key drivers in converting homes for a low carbon world.”

In a written statement from Julie James MS, Minister for Housing and Local Government, the BMF is mentioned, along with other trade bodies and industry groups, in relation to the opportunities presented for the SME sector in supporting the decarbonisation of homes in Wales.

Minister for Housing and Local Government, Julie James said: “Retrofitting homes is vital in providing greener, better homes, reducing fuel poverty and establishing new supply chains.

“As well as opening the door to a new industry, it will create a low carbon economy for Wales, helping us to meet our ambitious sustainability targets and tackle the climate emergency.”

John Newcomb, chief executive of the BMF added: “The Optimised Retrofit Programme delivers meaningful environmental and economic benefits across North Wales.

“Builders merchants are at the heart of their communities and are well-placed to support the delivery of this programme in their local area.”

More on the Optimised Retrofit Programme at https://gov.wales/written-statement-optimised-retrofit-programme-2020-21