Innovative practices in low carbon retrofit: time, scale and business models

Low carbon retrofitting of the existing housing stock is increasingly being recognised as a vital part of national efforts to substantially reduce carbon emissions from all sectors of the economy. However, at present very little low carbon retrofit is undertaken, in either the social or private housing markets, in the UK and France. This paper explores the dynamics of decision-making for low carbon retrofit, using empirical evidence from innovative projects in both countries. It demonstrates how low carbon retrofits can vary in their time dimensions and the scale at which renovation occurs, and describes new business models for delivering renovation. By describing and analysing this variety, the paper identifies new routes to low carbon retrofit. The empirical data used to inform the analysis in this paper includes a series of interviews with renovation professionals, tradesmen and householders in the UK and France, and a survey of and in-depth interviews with UK Superhome owners, who have renovated their homes to reduce carbon emissions by 60% or more. Timing: The effects of the time taken to renovate and the timing of retrofit on the process and outcome of retrofit will be examined. The Superhomes survey showed that some households plan their whole renovation from the start, while other retrofits ‘emerge’ over years or decades. New analysis shows that neither the planned / emergent character of the retrofit nor the time scale over which they are completed seems to be linked to the carbon savings achieved. Scale: There is an argument that low carbon retrofit needs to be undertaken on a street- or neighbourhood-scale to be widely adopted. Policy related to energy efficiency and low carbon retrofit at a variety of scales is described. The benefits of scale are explored through a detailed case study of one UK social landlord’s renovation programme. The challenges of larger-scale retrofit are examined in relation particularly to owner-occupied housing and blocks of flats. Business models: A number of new low-carbon retrofit business models are emerging the UK and France. Five case studies are briefly presented, along with reflections on how they may influence the market and deliver new routes to retrofit. The insights from this research are combined to highlight opportunities for new routes to achieving retrofit. Ways in which the government in the UK and France can support these innovations are identified.