Reducing our own emissions

When it comes to proactive carbon reduction steps TICA should lead by example.

TICA have embraced solar panel technologies. As of Summer 2023 we now have a total of 362 solar panels on site – with a potential generation output of 99,196 kWh per annum.

TICA are committed to switching to an all-electric company car fleet and have installed six EV charging points on site.

TICA have also launched a staff Environmental Group which will be looking at further ways in to improve our environmental behaviours and reduce our carbon footprint. We will be monitoring and measuring the results of our various carbon reduction initiatives – this will help us to establish where we are in our journey to net zero and help guide further business decisions going forward.

Reducing Value Chain Emissions

TICA very much hope that our own carbon reduction steps will prove informative for our members who wish to start their own carbon reduction journey.

Having a Carbon Reduction strategy is no longer just a “nice to have” for thermal insulation contractors. Contractors bidding for public sector contracts above £5m will need to have a Carbon Reduction Plan to be included in the tender process – these contractors will need to show that they are leading by example with their own supply chains and will be expecting similar commitments for their sub-contractors.

Thermal Insulation product manufacturers and distributors also have a key part to play, both in terms of reducing the embodied carbon associated with their products and implementing policies that encourage circularity and waste reduction.

TICA will champion good practice and amplify the carbon reduction initiatives taken by our members.

Promoting good practice in the wider industry

Thermal insulation will play a significant role in the reduction of carbon emissions. Space heating of buildings contributes nearly a quarter of the total carbon footprint for the United Kingdom – in the drive towards net zero carbon in buildings, thermal insulation needs to be considered as a key factor and not an afterthought. In this case, good practice will result in a classic win-win scenario with end users benefiting from improved energy performance and responsible thermal contractors benefitting from strong specifications that discourage the “race to the bottom”.

The biggest obstacles we have to overcome are ignorance and inertia. TICA will be making sure the thermal insulation industry is heard and will work to overcome inertia and ignorance when we encounter it. We will continue our work at policy level and make sure that the thermal insulation industry is heard.