Public sector organisations across Greater Manchester can now apply for a share of a new £28 million Public Building Retrofit Fund, designed to make buildings warmer, cheaper to run, and less reliant on fossil fuels.
Running from 2025 to 2028, the fund will support local authorities, state schools, NHS trusts, and other public bodies to reduce emissions from heating and improve energy efficiency across the city region’s public estate.
Eligible upgrades include:
- Insulation and low-carbon heating systems
- LED lighting
- Renewable energy installations, such as solar panels
The initiative supports Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s ambition to become carbon neutral by 2038 – 12 years ahead of the national target. Heating buildings currently accounts for 9% of the UK’s total emissions, making this fund a key step in tackling climate change locally.
The fund builds on Greater Manchester’s existing investment of £120 million in retrofitting 225 schools, leisure centres, and public buildings, as outlined in its five-year environment plan.
Funding will be allocated over three financial years:
- £1.6 million in 2025/26
- £13.2 million in 2026/27
- £13.2 million in 2027/28
Greater Manchester’s Lead for Green City-Region, Cllr Tom Ross, said:
“Decarbonising our public buildings is a vital part of our journey to net zero and this fund will give local organisations the support they need to take action.
“The Greater Manchester Five-Year Environment Plan commits us to creating a carbon neutral, climate resilient city-region, and retrofit is central to that. This is about reducing carbon, but it’s also about creating jobs, supporting innovation, and making sure the benefits of greener growth are felt across all our communities.”
Projects are expected to take a whole-building approach to decarbonisation, although phased upgrades will also be considered. The fund also aims to support green innovation, local job creation, and the delivery of healthier, more efficient buildings for residents.
Three application rounds will be rolled out, each involving a two-stage assessment. The first round is now live, and organisations can register via the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) website.
This fund is a cornerstone of Greater Manchester’s vision for a resilient, low-carbon, nature-rich future, ensuring communities can thrive in a changing climate.
Image credit: iStock
