Retrofit realism: affordable low-carbon policies for existing homes

Journal article

Residential buildings are major users of energy and emitters of carbon dioxide. They have long lifetimes and therefore decarbonisation of the heating and cooling of existing homes is critical for the goal of net zero emissions. The challenge of zero-carbon retrofitting also needs to address comfort in a warming world and affordability at scale. To address this problem will need improved building fabric and highly efficient, non-fossil, thermal systems. Technical solutions are known and available, but there are barriers to scaling their deployment. Priorities for retrofit differ by climate zone and economic development status. In the Global South, rising temperatures are increasing cooling needs and the priority is to scale-up passive cooling approaches. In the Global North, heating demand is much larger and the key priority is a shift away from direct use of fossil fuels by electrifying heating, while accommodating growing cooling. Comprehensive policy interventions are required, including building and efficiency standards, regulations to phase out fossil fuel use, direct investment in thermal systems and fabric, incentives, financing, knowledge sharing and support for skills and training.

Authors: Eyre, N; Khosla, R

• Publication status: Accepted
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Ubiquity Press
• Journal: Buildings & Cities
• Acceptance date: 2026-07-26
• EISSN: 2632-6655
• Language: English
• Keywords: building energy efficiency; building decarbonisation; heating and cooling; climate policy