LJMU showcases decarbonisation expertise

LJMU this week welcomed industry leaders and key policy makers to campus to showcase our expertise and innovation around industry decarbonisation.

The Liverpool City Region Retrofit Summit and Expo 2026 provided a platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange and practical learning around the UK’s housing decarbonisation agenda. 

Dr Neil Simcock and James MacDonald were among those delivering presentations, while delegates were also given tours of LJMU’s retrofit homes.

The summit and expo was a flagship part of Retrofit Action Week Liverpool City Region 2026 and also a key event in the city region’s Innovation Investment Fortnight.

The objectives of the day perfectly align with our ambitions and vision as a university – it’s all about working with partners to share expertise to innovate and find real-world solutions to the challenges we face in our society.

This is a key shared goal among us all to deliver a sustainable, efficient approach to home energy – tackling energy poverty and ensuring access and affordability. 

Dr Aileen Jones, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement and Partnerships)

About the event

The Liverpool City Region Retrofit Summit and Expo 2026 was designed to support the delivery of high quality, inclusive retrofit at scale. This year’s core theme focused on ‘The Warm Homes Plan: what it means for local retrofit delivery.’

Through a curated programme of keynote talks, expert panels and case studies, the summit explored how national policy translates into regional action, addressing the real world challenges of delivery across all tenures, from social housing to private and community led retrofit.

The expo showcased leading retrofit solutions, technologies and services, enabling delegates to engage directly with suppliers, innovators and delivery partners who are helping to accelerate decarbonisation across the Liverpool City Region and beyond.

About LJMU’s retrofit expertise

At its City Campus, LJMU has a number of industry-leading test homes, which are retrofitted to test the latest eco-home innovations. 

There are three properties built to represent different eras of British house-building – the 1920s, 1970s and 2010s. 

Working together with our partners Wienerberger, the university has retrofitted them with the latest technologies and then tested and monitored their thermal performance over two years. 

This has given invaluable insights into the effectiveness of different energy saving initiatives and how they can be used to deliver efficient, inclusive retrofit at scale across the UK housing sector. 

LCR Innovation Investment Fortnight

LJMU is proud to be a partner in the Liverpool City Region (LCR) Innovation Investment Fortnight.

This is an annual showcase of the distinctive world-leading assets, partnership-driven approaches, and investment opportunities that put the city region at the forefront of UK place-based innovation.

LJMU is hosting a number of events throughout the fortnight.