The Government’s Energy Security Strategy, announced 7th April, delivered ambitious plans for the secure supply of low carbon energy in the future but fell short in its focus on measures that could reduce energy demand, and energy bills, today.

Energy efficiency measures and the consequent approach to the refurbishment of buildings to reduce their energy demand should be part of the long-term strategic thinking about the security of energy supply in the UK.

However, while many regulatory efforts have tackled newly constructed buildings, existing building stock has come slowly to prominence and urgently requires serious consideration as to its renovation to support the achievement of the net zero target.

Hence, BSRIA’s call for green buildings which support health & wellbeing applies not just to new builds, but to the renovation process too. Focus on low-carbon measures in buildings needs to increase but the health & wellbeing of building occupants and the building’s contribution to collaborative, inclusive social spaces also need to be factored in.

To advance this thinking, the BSRIA Online Conference 2022 invites industry’s top professionals to debate challenges and possible solutions for balancing energy efficiency measures with environmental and social concerns to deliver fit-for-the-future buildings during the refurbishment process.