A new study from the Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA) has found that retrofit training gaps are stalling Net-Zero progress in UK construction.
The research surveyed 500 construction professionals and revealed that there is a low sector-wide understanding of retrofit technologies and approaches.
Four in ten professionals stated that the level of training available to them was insufficient and that industry knowledge and understanding of retrofit techniques are currently ‘lacking’.
However, many professionals see retrofitting existing buildings as a more effective path to reducing carbon emissions compared to constructing new. Nearly two in three (62%) believe retrofit projects provide greater benefits for achieving net zero than new-build homes.
Another area of the study examined how professionals measure the impact of applied retrofit measures. Just two in five professionals (43%) measure building performance after envelope changes.
Tom Garrigan, Technical Director at BSRIA said: “The results of this study show a snapshot of the industry’s approach to retrofitting. There’s a clear need for detailed pre- and post-retrofit assessments. Understanding a building’s condition, possible defects, and energy performance is an essential step but one that appears to be lacking. Without high-quality testing, building owners will never know the true value of retrofit investments.”
Lisa Ashworth, CEO at BSRIA said: “Retrofitting 29 million homes by 2050 is an ambitious goal for the UK. To achieve it, we must upskill the construction workforce on the value of retrofitting and the need for a meticulous approach to every property. As the saying goes, ‘you can’t test what you don’t measure’—a mindset the entire industry must embrace.”
