Built environment organisations and businesses have urged the Government to make building retrofit a priority at COP31, calling for a long-term national programme alongside stronger international action to reduce emissions from buildings and construction.
In an open letter to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, the signatories call on the Government to:
- Deliver a long-term national retrofit programme.
- Support international collaboration on retrofit delivery, skills and financing.
- Champion commitments on whole-life carbon assessment, consistent reporting, supply-chain transparency, low-carbon materials and circular economy principles.
Research has found upgrading all homes to Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band C could deliver around £40 billion in benefits to the UK economy in the coming decade, with further benefits of up to £100 billion over the following decade. Retrofit can also help reduce energy bills and fuel poverty, improve health and ease pressure on public services.
The letter also highlights the emissions embodied in the materials used to construct, maintain and eventually demolish buildings. It argues that clear, consistent whole-life carbon standards would give businesses greater certainty, support investment in low-carbon products and technologies, and help strengthen UK supply chains.
Chris Williamson, RIBA President, said: “COP31 is an opportunity for the UK to show global leadership by putting buildings at the heart of climate action. At home, a long-term retrofit programme could cut emissions while supporting lower bills, better health and skilled jobs, and demonstrating to the world that we remain a global leader in tackling the climate emergency.”
Usman Yaqub, President, Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists, said: “The rapid decarbonisation of buildings and infrastructure worldwide is crucial if we are to stand any chance of limiting long-term climate change and maintaining a liveable planet. Importantly, the technology to achieve this is tried and tested; by providing long-term funding certainty, the UK can deliver decarbonisation in every postcode and re-establish itself as a global leader in the green transition.”
Saul Humphrey, President, Chartered Institute of Building, said: "The built environment sits at the heart of both the climate challenge and the climate solution. CIOB is proud to support this call for greater ambition from the UK Government ahead of COP31. A long-term commitment to retrofit, alongside stronger action on whole-life carbon and low-carbon construction, can reduce emissions, drive responsible growth, create skilled jobs and strengthen communities. COP31 is an opportunity for the UK to demonstrate renewed leadership and accelerate the transition to a sustainable and resilient built environment.”
Simon Hamlyn, Chief Executive at the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (CICES), said: "As COP31 gets underway, CICES supports greater ambition on built environment decarbonisation through measures that promote retrofit, whole-life carbon assessment and low-carbon construction.
Sustainability is a guiding priority for CICES, one of our 'golden threads’, and we welcome these measures. These actions are essential to achieving net zero. They also strengthen supply chains, drive innovation and support economic growth across the construction and built environment sector.”
Justin Young, Chief Executive of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, said: “Retrofit is one of the fastest ways to cut emissions, reduce energy costs and improve our homes and workplaces. Delivering this at scale requires a long-term strategy that gives property owners, investors and industry the confidence to support delivery.
“RICS stands alongside our partners to ensure that retrofit and consistent standards are at the heart of the UK’s climate commitments. COP31 presents an opportunity to turn ambition into action.”
