Housing and the Climate Transition: From New Build to Deep Retrofit

Housing is central to the climate transition, both because of its contribution to emissions and because of the opportunity to improve homes, neighbourhoods, and living conditions. Decarbonising housing requires action on two fronts: embedding net-zero performance in new construction through passive design, low-carbon materials, and integrated energy systems, and retrofitting the vast existing stock that will still be standing in 2050. This conversation will explore technical and policy approaches across both dimensions, asking how to make climate-compatible housing affordable, scalable, and accessible across different income levels.