The Power of Energy Efficient Renovations: Why Building Upgrades Are Key to Fighting Climate Change

Before and after image of a renovation of a building that was applied with Terraco EIFS making it energy-efficient. Image © Terraco

Renovations are not only a popular way to update and modernize homes, offices, and other structures but also a critical component in reducing carbon emissions and achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. The existing building stock is responsible for a significant portion of global carbon emissions, with energy inefficient buildings being a major contributor.

According to a report by the Financial Times, there is a large energy efficiency gap in the UK housing stock, with many buildings falling short of their potential energy performance levels. Unsurprisingly, old buildings in the UK are seen as one of the primary factors contributing to this energy efficiency gap.

Nearly 38% of the UK’s housing stock was built before 1946 — a higher proportion than in any EU country. The UK’s homes are also significantly older than those in the US, where 15% were built before 1945, and Japan, with 2% built before 1945. Gillian Charlesworth, chief executive of BRE, says 80 per cent of the homes that make up the UK’s current housing stock will still be in use in 30 years’ time. This means that retrofitting existing homes will also be crucial to meeting the UK’s commitment to net-zero emissions, she adds.

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