Retrofitting the UK’s historic buildings in order to make them more energy efficient could generate £35bn of economic output a year, according to a new study.
A new report commissioned by the National Trust, Peabody, Historic England, The Crown Estate and Grosvenor estimates that making historic properties more energy efficient will reduce carbon emissions by 5% each year.
The report shows that more than 105,000 new workers will be needed to work on decarbonising the UK’s historic buildings every year for the next three decades for the UK to meet its 2050 net zero target.
Retrofitting these buildings by, for example, ensuring windows and heating systems are more energy efficient will support an estimated £35bn of economic output annually, according to the study.
‘The UK needs a long-term national retrofit strategy, led by the Government, positively bringing together training, funding, and standards to sensitively decarbonise our historic buildings,’ said Tor Burrows, Grosvenor’s executive director of Sustainability and Innovation.
‘Only then can we truly seize this opportunity to tackle a significant source of greenhouse emissions while protecting our much-loved built heritage.’
Lord Kerslake, chair of Peabody, commented: ‘The benefits of prioritising our historic buildings are economic as well as environmental and social. They are an important source of prosperity and growth, with the heritage sector directly contributing £14.7bn to the economy in 2019.
‘Making these buildings energy efficient will stimulate spending in the construction industry, support around 290,000 jobs in supply chains and boost heritage-related tourism and hospitality.
‘And where needed, making older homes more energy efficient will transform the lives of the people who live and work in them, reducing household energy bills and improving health and wellbeing.’
Hilary McGrady, director general of the National Trust, added: ‘From Georgian town houses to the mills and factories that kick-started our industrial revolution, our historic buildings play a significant role in society, connecting people and places – one of the key pillars of the government’s Levelling Up strategy.
‘The stewardship of our built heritage is in our hands, and we must ensure we prepare it for the challenges of climate change. It’s a significant task, but it’s one we can achieve through co-ordinated action. But that action must be taken now.’
