The Green Finance Institute has announced the introduction of a new training programme known as the GFI Certificate in Green Mortgages. This initiative is designed to furnish mortgage professionals with the requisite knowledge and skills to comprehend, define, and promote green mortgage products. Accredited by the London Institute of Banking and Finance (LIBF) and eligible for CPD certification, the programme encompasses critical areas such as the impact of climate change on UK housing, the wider green finance landscape, and the role of housing in combatting climate change.
It is imperative to underscore the pressing necessity to decarbonize the built environment, as 23% of the UK’s overall carbon emissions are attributed to buildings, according to the Climate Change Committee. With this in mind, the GFI aims to bridge the knowledge gap surrounding green mortgages among customers, intermediaries, and brokers. Research findings have revealed that over 80% of advisers indicated that their clients had limited or no understanding of green mortgages, underscoring the significance of education and training in this domain.
Following the successful trial of the green mortgage training programme with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), the GFI has now extended the availability of the training sessions to bolster the industry’s transition to green finance. Rachael Hunnisett, associate director for the built environment at the GFI, emphasized the significance of decarbonizing UK properties in the journey towards a net-zero economy. She highlighted that the training programme’s objective is to enable brokers to grasp the essential skills required to comprehend and support customers in investing in home energy-efficiency improvements.
Councillor Tom Ross, GMCA’s portfolio lead for the Green City Region, expressed support for the collaboration with the Green Finance Institute, affirming that it is instrumental in mainstreaming green mortgages as a viable solution for financing home upgrades. This initiative is aligned with GMCA’s aspiration to achieve carbon neutrality by 2038 and contributes to fostering economic and environmental benefits.
In summary, the launch of the GFI Certificate in Green Mortgages represents a noteworthy stride towards equipping mortgage professionals with the expertise to advocate for and facilitate green finance solutions, thus playing a pivotal role in the transition towards a sustainable and environmentally conscious economy.