Buildings and Retrofit: creating better, warmer homes
Discover how the Net Zero Living Programme has driven change in Buildings and Retrofit. Learn how we supported local authorities to build the resources, skills, and capacity needed to accelerate demand for retrofitting homes.
Recognising the true value of 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
Our Better Warmer Homes report reveals 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 discussed how local authorities can use their role as convenors, planners, and asset owners to bring partners together and stimulate local markets. Council representatives shared their experiences of delivering innovative projects in their areas, and explained why retrofit is not a single intervention but the alignment of citizen engagement, clear regulations, finance, and skilled delivery.
In our article 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. Our article on Newham Council then looks at its work refurbishing over 350 homes to improve comfort, cost, and efficiency.
Read the reports and perspectives
- Setting the standard: where the national and the local empower place-based retrofit
- Better Warmer Homes: Learnings for scaling place-based retrofit
- How local authorities can build a competitive UK retrofit workforce
- Mind the Gap: Ensuring heat policy reaches space-constrained homes
- Retrofit in Rural Environments: Insights for UK local authorities
Explore podcasts and webinars
Discover case studies and impact stories
Related News
07/01/2026
Building local skills for housing retrofit in Newham
Newham Council asked the Carbon Trust to take a closer look at the types and numbers of jobs that will be needed to retrofit their homes and reach their Just Transition Plan targets.
Read more
Programme
This article is part of 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.