Regional energy, local heat, and mass decarbonisation: a new model on the River Clyde, with Duncan Smith and Richard Orr (River Clyde Homes)

Welcome home Duncan Smith! And, we're pleased to introduce Richard Orr, Head of Asset and Regeneration at River Clyde Homes.

We've been alluding to the things that Duncan is up in his new role as Head of Energy & Sustainability, so we were delighted when he said he'd come back to tell us all about his new life in Greenock.

The work they're doing should be as significant for private developers as it is for the social housing sector. It's a big strategic project, providing better homes for their tenants, and better living for a whole community on the River Clyde.

They're being very ambitious and they're well aware that they won't meet all of their lofty aspirations, but what they're achieving already feels pretty significant. Approaching asset development and renewal with a long-term vision that is addressing: fuel poverty, demand reduction, localised energy generation and distribution, community wealth building, and even a carbon offsetting scheme that could really make a difference.


Notes from the episode

• River Clyde Homes
• The Passive House Plus article about this inspiring project
• 'Back to the Future': the Green Building, built in 1994 in Dublin's Temple Bar 
• Vertical farming on Brass Eye 
• IndiNature - Natural fibre construction insulation 
• The Politics of Change and a Real Green New Deal (part 1), with Robin McAlpine of Common Weal
• The Politics of Change and a Real Green New Deal (part 2), with Robin McAlpine of Common Weal

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What is Zero Ambitions Podcast?

Zero Ambitions is a consultancy and weekly podcast about sustainability and the built environment.

We find interesting and experienced guests who know what they're talking about, usually to discuss how we navigate the complexity of decarbonisation and sustainability in the built environment and its many related sectors.

The success of the podcast has seen it grow into a consultancy, Zero Ambitions Partners. The consultancy works with blue chip clients, public sector institutions, and niche-market innovators that operate in the built environment, advising about the development and delivery of sustainability strategy and how it should be communicated.

Hosted by Jeff Colley (Passive House Plus), Dan Hyde (Everything is User Experience) and Alex Blondin (Everything is User Experience).