Two new reports calling on UK industry to cut emissions from commercial building stock through retrofit and energy optimisation are being launched today
Produced by the UK Green Building Council, the report provides practical, evidence-based guidance on retrofit and energy optimisation for owners, landlords, occupiers and designers.
It also highlights growing pressures from tightening regulations, evolving MEES standards, and rising demand for low-carbon assets.
Philippa Birch-Wood, head of climate action at UKGBC, commented: “Nearly a quarter of built environment emissions come from operating non-domestic buildings.
“Retrofit and energy optimisation is one of the fastest and most effective ways to cut carbon, often without major capital investment.”
Key focus buildings for retrofit and energy optimisation
The first report highlights retail and logistics buildings as a key focus for retrofit and energy optimisation.
These buildings are central to the UK economy; however, they are also major contributors to carbon emissions. Whilst retail drives significant non-domestic energy use, logistics is linked to high-emitting transport and ageing warehouse stock.
“Retail and logistics buildings are fundamental to the UK’s economy. They also represent one of our greatest opportunities for decarbonisation,” explained Yetunde Abdul, director of industry transformation at UKGBC.
“With most of today’s assets still in use by 2050, the route to net zero depends on retrofit, not replacement. This report provides practical guidance to help the industry act now and invest wisely.”
Optimising non-domestic buildings
Furthermore, the other report focuses on energy optimisation across non-domestic buildings, which account for 23% of built environment emissions from operational energy use.
It sets out a clear four-step approach: engaging stakeholders, aligning incentives, using data effectively, and taking action.
Drawing on real-world experiences, the report emphasises how organisations can unlock meaningful energy and carbon savings through lower-cost, lower-disruption interventions such as retrofit and energy optimisation.
Creating future-ready buildings
Part of the Building Case for Zero Series, the reports outline several retrofit and energy optimisation options, including HVAC, electrification, and on-site renewables, whilst emphasising portfolio-wide approaches rather than a one-size-fits-all.
They also highlight the importance of integrating resilience, climate adaptation and social value to create healthy, future-ready buildings.
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