Creating better, warmer homes through place-based innovation
Discover how the Net Zero Living programme is driving change in Buildings and Retrofit. Learn how we’re supporting local authorities to build the resources, skills, and capacity needed to accelerate demand for retrofitting homes.
Buildings and Retrofit
Retrofitting homes can improve people’s daily lives. It supports good health and wellbeing for residents, it reduces bills, and it drives skills development which, in turn, strengthens local businesses, supply chains, and economies. However the challenges are not just technological. Retrofit done well relies on a confident workforce, market demand, clear standards and measures, accessible finance, and engaging communities to understand how people want to live.
Innovate UK’s Net Zero Living programme has been helping councils recognise the true value of retrofit to their communities and showing how it can be achievable when it is treated as a place-based opportunity. Here we have collected together the very best insights from the innovative approaches tested during the programme so more local authorities can benefit from our learnings and best practice.
Insights from the programme
In our perspective, Setting the standard, we examine how retrofitting homes is a uniquely placed-based endeavour and how local authorities are at the frontline of delivering progress that will ultimately tackle fuel poverty, reduce housing-related public health crises, and drive growth by driving greater demand and supply in local retrofit markets.
Insights from Better Warmer Homes reveal how local authorities can demonstrate leadership in retrofit by navigating new standards, investing in local supply chains, and piloting one-stop-shop services that make retrofit simpler and more affordable for residents.
Our Buildings and Retrofit webinar discusses how local authorities can use their role as convenors, planners, and asset owners to bring partners together and stimulate local markets. Council representatives share their experiences of delivering innovative projects in their areas, and explain why retrofit is not a single intervention but the alignment of citizen engagement, clear regulations, finance, and skilled delivery.
Discover regional impact stories
Related programme
Net Zero Living
A new wave of place-based innovation is transforming UK towns, cities and communities, today. Innovate UK’s £60 million programme is helping local authorities and businesses work together to deliver new solutions that improve local services and open markets for economic growth.