Update

Net Zero Week: Highlighting CITB funded projects and resources

Published
6 July 2026

The construction and built environment industry is a major source of carbon emissions, currently representing around 40% of the UK’s total output. As the UK expects to be net zero by 2050, our industry has a huge part to play when ensuring that target is met.

In support of Net Zero Week (4 to 10 July), CITB are championing our funded projects and resources available that can support your business and the industry on the path to a greener future.

The role of CITB’s Industry Impact Fund (IIF), is to fund innovative, employer-led projects. Net zero, along with other significant industry workforce and skills challenges, is one of the six core categories that qualifies for funding.

Low Carbon Passport Programme 

One of those funded projects is the Low Carbon Passport Programme, developed by the official 2026 Net Zero Week sponsor, Balfour Beatty. It is a new accredited qualification designed to fix the major shortage of low carbon construction skills across Scotland and the wider UK.

Free to enrol with courses currently running up until November 2026, the training is designed to help both existing professionals and new entrants develop the practical skills needed to thrive in the future. The programme is backed by major industry partners including, Morrison Construction, Kier Group, Robertson Group, and the Passivhaus Trust.

It brings together Balfour Beatty, Tier 1 contractors, colleges, universities and BE-ST with a target to train around 1,200 people each year in the skills needed for Passivhaus level building standards and net zero construction. 

Future Workforce Programme

Also brought to life through CITB’s Industry Impact Fund, is a two-year project developed by Berkeley Group in collaboration with the Supply Chain Sustainability School and its Future Workforce Leadership Group.

The programme is creating new bite-sized learning resources such as videos, animations, and tailored training sessions to help colleges deliver relevant net zero skills and help SMEs understand and access net zero business opportunities. 

During the funded period, the project is targeted to reach 250 educators and 360 SME learners. All resources will be free for at least three years to ensure long term impact, wider industry benefit, and a scalable model that strengthens the UK’s net zero workforce. 

On the training programme you will discover the key capabilities for delivering net zero projects, practical ways to upskill your workforce, and how to unlock new opportunities in a fast-changing market. In person training is scheduled to commence in July through to November hosted by local colleges across England and Scotland.

Timber in Construction 101

Developed by Donaldson Timber Systems and funded through CITB’s Industry Impact Fund, Timber in Construction 101 has been created to bring together industry and academia, helping to build a skilled and diverse workforce equipped to deliver sustainable construction at scale.

Launched at Futurebuild in May, the programme will provide more than 15+ fully funded training modules for construction and built environment professionals, apprentices and college students. The modules will range from introductory learning through to advanced technical training.

Programme partners include BE-ST, Edinburgh Napier University, NMITE, the Structural Timber Association and Timber Development UK.

The first webinar in the series, ‘Material Intelligence’, attracted 242 registrations from 201 organisations. The training itself consisted of a science-led introduction to timber in construction, covering material performance, sourcing considerations and key technical principles to help attendees better understand timber’s role in modern construction.

As the industry works to rapidly decarbonise and meet UK net zero targets, the webinar generated strong engagement from architects and engineers, alongside manufacturers and academics.

The training addresses a recognised gap in formal timber education and provides practical, evidence-based insight into the use of timber.