This ScotE3 article was first published in the August edition of the Scottish Rank and File Newsletter
The built environment accounts for 40% of end use carbon emissions. So, construction has a big part to play in tackling the climate crisis. Most of the emission reductions need to come through retrofitting the existing housing stock.
Campaigns in Edinburgh, Glasgow and elsewhere have highlighted the importance of retrofitting, the impact it could have on jobs for construction workers and on the quality of life of residents – particularly the hundreds of thousands current living in fuel poverty.
But there’s a real problem – both the Scottish Government and Local Authorities have no plans for large scale retrofitting in the next decade and they believe that the private sector will drive the transition. As University of Westminster researcher into the construction industry Linda Clarke says, this ‘is a sector beset with problems, not least low levels of unionisation in much of the private sector apart from engineering construction. Over half the workforce is classified as ‘self-employed’ for tax purposes, most firms (c. 97%) are SMEs – many of which are micro firms, the subcontracting chain can be very extensive, including labour-only subcontracting, and there are massive ‘skill’ shortages.’ And on top of all this there is no training infrastructure.
Retrofitting the Scottish housing stock requires planning, coordination and a big input from Further Education Colleges to provide the necessary skills training. Private construction firms have little interest in this. In ScotE3’s view it’s essential that construction workers and climate campaigners come together to campaign for the rebuilding of Direct Labour Organisations in every local authority. As Linda Clarke says ‘… DLOs, … operating on a non-for-profit basis, politically accountable, unionised, inclusive, offering secure, employment and good working conditions, and providing monitored work experience for trainees, are an obvious way to carry out large-scale retrofitting.’
To read Linda Clarke’s full article on retrofitting and the construction industry go to https://greenerjobsalliance.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GJA-Newsletter-60-FINAL.pdf
Employment, Energy and Environment 