Why refurbish?

Sustainable refurbishment is essential if we are to meet our national targets for reducing carbon emissions. About 150 million tonnes of Carbon dioxide are released each year from the housing stock, with older buildings contributing disproportionately. The contribution of best practice sustainable refurbishment in bringing this level down by 80% by 2050, the Government's target, is central and a key part in the market transformation of the sector.

Sustainable refurbishment can avoid the wholesale waste of resources that comes about when swathes of older housing are cleared to make way for new. Importantly it also preserves the character of our towns and cities, making them interesting places in which to live.

A more positive perception of refurbishment must be generated in which its wider role in financial and social sustainability is better understood, alondgside its environmental benefits. Innovative ways of using sustainable refurbishment to upgrade social housing and bring stock back onto the market must be developed. New ways must be found to harness the close interest that private owners take in their properties and to help them to recognise and adopt sustainable refurbishment as a practical and cost effective option.

Although there are various predictions over the renewal rate of the existing housing stock, most houses standing today will still exist in 2050. Therefore it is essential that this stock is viewed positively as a platform for achieving carbon emissions reductions rather than a national problem. Millions of houses have options for upgrading - the trick is to use best practice to identify the right solutions and deliver them successfully for owners and communities.