Calls for fairer home retrofitting policies
Summary
Michelle Murphy of the Just Transition Commission discusses the need for fairer home retrofit policies to accelerate energy efficiency improvements. She argues that current grants often exclude lower- and middle-income households, proposing solutions like tapered funding, deferred payment arrangements, and multi-annual contractor funding to retain skilled workers. The conversation also addresses the implementation of minimum energy standards for rental homes, emphasizing that public investment must benefit both landlords and tenants without driving up rents or reducing housing supply.
Topics discussed
Introduction to Just Transition Commission report
Core message: Turning ambition into fair action
Assessing the National Building Renovation Plan
Barriers for households and bias in current grants
Proposals for tapered grants and deferred payments
Government response and SEAI funding statistics
Gap between current progress and targets
Multi-annual funding to retain retrofit workers
Concerns about minimum energy standards for rentals
Laddered approach to rental standards and closing remarks
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