When Zero Carbon Group was founded in 2019, the challenge was clear. Millions of homes across the UK were cold, inefficient and expensive to heat. Fuel poverty was, and remains, a significant problem in the communities we serve. Our directors set out to build a business that could make a genuine difference: a trusted, certified partner for delivering complex energy upgrades to social housing and public sector clients.
That mission has not changed. What has changed is our scale, our capability and the urgency of the challenge we are responding to.
The numbers tell their own story. There are 26 million homes across the UK that require decarbonisation upgrades between now and 2050. That equates to around 900,000 homes per year. At the same time, 62% of homes in Wales and 58% in England are rated below EPC band C. The majority of existing housing stock is more than 60 years old and around one in five properties are more than 100 years old. The scale of what is needed is significant. The good news is that the funding and policy framework to support it is in place. The Government has committed £6.6 billion to improve energy efficiency to date, with a further £6 billion to follow between 2025 and 2028.
At Zero Carbon Group, we are focused on turning that opportunity into real outcomes for real households.
Our approach is fabric-first. Before we consider heating systems or renewable technologies, we focus on the building envelope. Insulation reduces heat loss and forms the foundation of an energy-efficient home. Once a building is performing well thermally, we then look at how low-carbon heating and renewable technologies can build on that foundation. Our services include external wall insulation and cavity wall insulation, loft and roof insulation, solar PV systems, air source heat pumps and EV charging.
This sequenced, whole-house approach matters because buildings are systems. A heat pump installed in a poorly insulated home will not deliver the savings a resident expects. Insulation improvements without proper ventilation can create damp and air quality problems. By considering the whole property, we ensure every measure works in harmony with the rest. The result is a home that is warmer, healthier, cheaper to run and lower in carbon.
We work primarily with local authorities, tier 1 contractors and housing associations. These clients are responsible for some of the most challenging properties in the country and they need delivery partners who understand the complexity of the work and the importance of getting it right. Every project is delivered to the highest standards and we are proud to hold industry-leading certifications that reflect our commitment to quality, safety and environmental responsibility.
Beyond technical compliance, we are committed to social value. We deliver 3% social value per project contract value and we prioritise local employment and training across every scheme we deliver. Retrofit is not just about buildings. It is about communities. By employing locally and investing in skills, we ensure the benefits of the work extend beyond the properties we improve.
Our team is central to everything we achieve. With over 40 years of combined experience in retrofit, energy efficiency and construction, our leadership group brings deep knowledge of the sector alongside a people-first approach. That experience shapes how we work: minimising disruption to residents, prioritising safety on and off site and maintaining the quality and care our clients expect at every stage of delivery. Our four core values guide every project, every decision and every interaction. We protect the environment, we look after those around us, we work together and we constantly improve.
Joining the EARNZ group marks an important step forward for Zero Carbon Group. Being part of a wider platform of regional energy services businesses strengthens our ability to deliver at scale. It connects us with companies that share our values and our commitment to quality, and it gives us access to the expertise, governance and support that comes with being part of a listed group. We see this as an opportunity to grow our reach, support more households and play a bigger role in the UK's journey to net zero.
The need for what we do is not going away. The housing challenge is structural and the policy and funding environment supports long-term delivery. At Zero Carbon Group, we are focused on meeting that need with the same consistency, quality and care that has defined us since the beginning.
Our mission remains what it has always been: to improve homes, lower emissions and create lasting change through quality retrofit solutions.
