Buildings and Design

Low-carbon refurbishment goes mainstream

Nearly 30% of the UK’s CO₂ emissions come from the country’s 26 million homes – with their demands for heating, lighting, hot water and electricity-hungry appliances. To reach the UK’s target of reducing carbon emissions by 60% by 2050 – or even 80%, as the target may have to be raised to – a significant reduction in emissions will have to come from housing. But how can we tackle the problem?