RIBA-led coalition calls for stronger action on retrofit as COP31 gets underway

A RIBA-led coalition of 23 built environment organisations is calling on the government to commit to stronger support for retrofit as the COP31 climate summit gets underway.

Architects including Hawkins\Brown, Howells, Scott Brownrigg, Sheppard Robson and Alison Brooks Architects have signed the open letter to energy secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh, who is leading the UK delegation at the summit in Antalya, Turkey.

The letter urges the government to establish a long-term national retrofit programme, support international collaboration on retrofit delivery and strengthen whole-life carbon assessment.

Signatories argue upgrading all homes to an EPC rating of C could deliver around £40bn in benefits to the UK economy over the next decade and a further £100bn over the following decade while reducing energy bills and easing pressure on public services.

The letter also highlights the embodied carbon in building materials and calls for consistent reporting on whole life carbon, supply chain transparency and greater adoption of circular economy principles.

Other signatories include the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the Chartered Institute of Building, the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers and the Design Council.

RIBA president Chris Williamson said the COP31 summit, which started yesterday and will run until 20 November, 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,” Williamson said.

RICS chief executive Justin Young added: “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.”

The letter comes a week after a survey by Building Design’s sister title Building of a range of built environment experts asking for responses to John Healey’s first Budget as chancellor.

The survey asked respondents to score the Budget based on how it delivered for various sectors, with retrofit receiving the lowest overall score. 

The lack of tax incentives to make retrofit more commercially viable was widely criticised with Stride Treglown chair Pierre Wassenaar admitting the Budget had offered “almost nothing for existing buildings”.