The number of historic houses increases annually. In 2018, some 5.1 million homes, or 21% of all homes in England, were over 100 years old. Strategies for reaching the net zero target in the construction sector need to increase the energy performance of historic buildings while respecting the principles of conservation and taking advantage of digital technologies, contractual systems and procurement techniques that deliver improved value.

Evidence from Heritage Counts shows that by 2050 we can reduce the carbon emissions of historic buildings by over 60% through refurbishment and retrofit. Its study concluded: “A sustainable approach also requires us to look beyond the buildings themselves and consider the wider context of our built environment […]. A truly sustainable future for our precious historic environment must take a balanced approach that considers their value of our historic environment society, the economy and to the environment.”

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