A £120 million framework has been launched to accelerate Scotland's journey to net-zero, offering transformative opportunities for the public sector.

The Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA) has launched the Retrofit and Decarbonisation (N9) framework, the largest in its history, to drive significant energy upgrades in public sector buildings such as schools, hospitals, social housing, and community spaces.

N9 aims to not only facilitate Scotland's transition to net-zero but also address the green skills shortage and create economic opportunities for organizations of all sizes.

"Addressing the green skills gap is going to be vital in supporting Scotland’s energy transition," said Lesley Anderson, Regional Director at the Scottish Procurement Alliance. "That’s why we’ve pledged to invest a portion of the income generated through the N9 Framework into organisations that are innovating and training the next generation of green-skilled workers."

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The framework provides public sector bodies with resources for decarbonization and access to consultants who can identify grant funding. It encompasses services from energy policy development and retrofit design to the installation of advanced heating systems, building management controls, and solar energy solutions.

"The N9 Framework makes it easier for public sector organisations to connect with top-quality contractors while fostering collaboration and innovation," Anderson added. "We also want to make social value a key priority by requiring appointed companies to deliver measurable benefits in individual wellbeing, environmental preservation, and social mobility."

The framework, with a total UK value of £660 million, will set a national benchmark for energy efficiency and retrofit delivery.

SPA, Scotland’s largest free-to-join procurement organization, will hold events to engage with stakeholders, including appointed contractors and partners.

SPA reinvests surpluses into community-focused initiatives through its Community Benefit Fund (CBF), supporting projects like digital inclusion programs and apprenticeship support funds.