Commercial Retrofit

Why we need commercial retrofit
Commercial buildings currently represent 23% of built environment carbon emissions in the UK. Securing a net zero built environment in line with the Paris Agreement cannot be achieved without addressing the operational emissions associated with this sector.
In addition to the climate impact of commercial buildings, accelerating the pace of commercial retrofit will also be required to meet the growing demand for sustainable office space in the UK. Recent analysis from UKGBC member JLL revealed that real estate assets with stronger sustainability credentials are increasingly attracting higher capital values and rents. Furthermore, JLL note the forthcoming tightening of Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) means investors are likely to consider more sustainable buildings to be less risky, and that it will pay to be on the front foot and invest in the green building sector now.

Live Project
Closing the gap towards net zero carbon commercial retrofit
Given the scale of energy efficiency improvements required to secure a net zero built environment, and the financial value it can unlock for asset owners, UKGBC is working on a new project to deepen understanding of the carbon and cost effectiveness of different retrofit measures for commercial assets. It will explore how to overcome common challenges faced by industry, as well as expand on UKGBC’s recent guide ‘Delivering Net Zero: Key considerations for Commercial Retrofit’, clarifying how to set out retrofit strategies for different asset types and providing more detail on tangible measures.
This research is due for publication in summer 2023. If you would like to receive updates about this project, please subscribe to the Advancing Net Zero mailing list.

Key aims for this project
Developing a suite of evidence
Exploring real world case studies
Creating a toolkit/flowchart approach
Related resources
Delivering Net Zero: Key Considerations for Commercial Retrofits

Commercial Playbook

Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap for the Built Environment

Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework

Advancing Net Zero Partners
Our climate change mitigation work is made possible due thanks to the generous support of our Advancing Net Zero Programme Partners


Commercial Retrofit Project Partners
Our live projects on commercial retrofit are made possible by the generous support of our project partners