The Retrofit Opportunity

The Alliance for Sustainable Building Products (ASBP), the Federation of Masters Builders FMB, the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), and Existing Homes Alliance Scotland (EHAS) hosted an event exploring the Retrofit opportunity, as part of the COP26 Built Environment Virtual Pavilion events series. 

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE WEBINAR

About this webinar

The repair, maintenance and improvement of the energy performance of the UK’s existing housing stock is essential to meet our climate targets, given that approximately 45% of the UK’s total carbon emissions are a result of energy consumption in buildings. Eurostat data indicates that the UK has one of the oldest housing stocks in Europe, with the smallest proportion of homes built after 1970 and the second-highest proportion built before 1919. It is well-known that 80% of the buildings that will be standing in 2050 have already been built, which is all the more concerning given that emissions – and fuel poverty, poor health and well-being due to cold and damp homes – from poorly built and ageing housing will be locked in for decades to come. A large scale retrofit programme will not only cut emissions, it will create thousands of jobs, reduce inequalities and improve the health and well-being of residents.

This event explores the opportunities of growing the retrofit market and examines the key barriers at both a policy and societal level. This includes a discussion around short-termism policies, lack of awareness and demand by consumers, the imperative of delivering a just transition with no one left behind, and the inherent skills issues associated with delivering retrofit at scale.

Speakers