Leeds City Council is set to invest £100m on measures to improve the energy efficiency of council housing by 2050
The measures aim to help tenants save money and cut carbon by improving the energy efficiency of council housing over the next five years.
New technologies will include ground and air source heat pumps, district heating networks, external wall insulation, and solar panels.
By improving the energy efficiency of council homes the measures are expected to help residents facing fuel poverty and prevent the most vulnerable from suffering cold-related illnesses.
The investment will support the council’s commitment to reduce the city’s direct emissions to net-zero by 2030 and make Leeds a greener, fairer and healthier city.
It will also support local green jobs in industries carrying out the improvements.
Leeds City Council has been working in partnership with the University of Leeds to identify the best way to target these improvements to maximise the benefits for residents and the environment.
‘Everyone deserves to live in a warm home’
Councillor Debra Coupar, deputy leader and executive member for communities, said: “Everyone deserves to live in a warm home that can be heated affordably, so I am delighted that we are ramping up efforts to help even more residents over the next five years.
“Living in a warm and energy efficient home is better for our health, better for our finances, and better for the planet too.”
Councillor Helen Hayden, executive member for climate change, transport and sustainable development, added: “This is an ambitious investment that reaffirms this council’s commitment to tackling the climate emergency.
“We’re doing everything we can to make the properties we own fit for the future.
“However, we now need a long-term, national plan that enables private homeowners to invest in their properties and gives reassurance to local businesses to hire and train workers with the skills needed to meet the demand for sustainable housing.”
