For historic buildings, the process involves retrofitting to improve energy efficiency while preserving their cultural and architectural heritage. This effort is significant given that buildings account for around 20% of the UK's total emissions, and many of these buildings were constructed before 1919.
GOVERNMENT TARGETS
2030 - As part of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, the UK Government has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 68% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
2035 - the Sixth Carbon Budget, which covers the period 2033-2037, sets a target to reduce emissions by 78% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels. This budget was legislated in 2021 and represents one of the most ambitious climate targets globally.
By 2035 the Government also wants as many homes as possible to be upgraded to at least Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band C, where practical, cost-effective, and affordable. This includes historic properties, though there are certain considerations and allowances made due to their unique characteristics.
The push towards Band C is focused on measures that are practical and cost-effective. For historic buildings, this might include improvements that don't compromise their historic value, such as secondary glazing, draught-proofing, and installing more efficient heating systems.
There are various schemes and financial incentives to help property owners upgrade their homes, including historic properties. These include grants, loans, and funding opportunities through initiatives like the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) – the current phase of the scheme ECO4, runs until March 2026.
Other schemes and grants are:
Green Homes Grant (Local Authority Delivery Scheme). Although the national Green Homes Grant scheme ended in March 2021, the Local Authority Delivery (LAD) scheme continues. This programme provides funding to local authorities to improve the energy efficiency of low-income households, which can include historic properties.
Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). The RHI provides financial incentives to households that install renewable heating systems, such as heat pumps, biomass boilers, and solar thermal panels. Historic properties can benefit from these systems if installed sensitively.
Home Upgrade Grant (HUG). The Home Upgrade Grant targets energy efficiency improvements for low-income households not on the gas grid, including historic properties. It aims to fund measures like insulation, energy-efficient doors and windows, and low-carbon heating.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides grants to help property owners replace their old, inefficient boilers with new, low-carbon heating systems, such as heat pumps.
VAT Reduction on Energy-Saving Materials. A reduced VAT rate of 5% applies to the installation of certain energy-saving materials, such as insulation, solar panels, and heat pumps. This can be particularly beneficial for historic properties undergoing energy efficiency upgrades.
Energy Efficiency Improvements under Permitted Development Rights. Permitted development rights allow certain types of work to be carried out without the need for a full planning application. This can include some energy efficiency improvements to historic properties, though listed buildings and those in conservation areas might still require consent.
Local Authority and Regional Programmes. Various local authorities and regional bodies offer grants and loans for energy efficiency improvements. These programmes can be particularly useful for historic properties, as they often come with guidance on maintaining historical integrity.
Low-Interest Loans and Green Mortgages. Some financial institutions offer low-interest loans and green mortgages that provide favourable terms for energy efficiency improvements. These can be used for historic properties to fund upgrades like insulation, efficient heating systems, and renewable energy installations.
By 2050. The overarching goal is to achieve Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This means that by that year, the UK aims to balance the amount of greenhouse gases emitted with the amount removed from the atmosphere, effectively eliminating the UK's contribution to global warming.
HISTORIC ENGLAND
Historic England’s strategy includes various interim targets to ensure steady progress:
By 2030, there is an aim to achieve a 46% reduction in emissions, with an annual reduction of 5.75% in Scope 1 and 2 emissions until that date.
By 2040, the target is to reduce overall emissions by at least 90%, by achieving approximately 46% by 2030 and then doubling that from 2030 to 2040.
Historic England Grants. Historic England offers various grants to help owners of historic properties with conservation and energy efficiency improvements. These grants are tailored to ensure that any upgrades preserve a building's historical and architectural significance.
AIMS OF THE CHURCH
The Church of England owns a significant portion of the UK's historic buildings. Specifically, the Church is responsible for around 16,000 church buildings, with about 12,500 to 13,000 of these being listed as historically or architecturally significant. This includes nearly half of the Grade I listed buildings in England, making the Church of England the custodian of the largest collection of historic buildings in the country.
Church of England Dioceses need to be Net Zero by 2030 (that includes all CofE schools). It was reduced from a target of 2045, two years ago.
The Catholic Church also has a target of Net Zero by 2050.
The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 2020 set the target for the Church of Scotland to be a Net Zero organisation by 2030. It is currently working in partnership with the Church of England to develop an energy footprint tool which will enable congregations to measure and report the emissions of their buildings.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Achieving these targets requires a substantial workforce skilled in retrofitting historic buildings. Estimates suggest that approximately 105,000 new workers will be needed annually to meet the retrofitting demands, which could generate significant economic output and job creation. Currently there is a skills shortage in the area that must be addressed. Workers who have specific skillsets and standards required to work on historic buildings are at a premium and are highly sought after.
By addressing environmental goals, opportunities present themselves to promote economic and social benefits, such as job creation in the construction sector and improved energy efficiency in older buildings, making them cheaper and warmer to run.
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