Housing Retrofit at Scale: A Diffusion of InnovationsPerspective for Planetary Health and HumanWell-Being

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by

Karolina Zasada
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Abstract: Housing stock is observed to be associated with high carbon emissions, high fuel poverty and low comfort levels in the UK. Retrofitting the housing stock is one of the best solutions to address these problems. This paper directly corresponds with human and planetary health in terms of climate change, human health and mental health by addressing the challenges of housing retrofit at scale. Retrofitting houses can also contribute to social equity, reduced use of planetary resources and better financial and physical comfort. Despite the availability of the right technology, government grants and the potential to acquire supply chain and skilled labour, the progress of retrofit is extremely poor. Importantly, the UK is off track to achieve net zero by 2050, and the housing stock contributes 18.72% of the total emissions. The problem is further exacerbated by the 30.4 million units of housing stock. Robust strategies are required to retrofit the housing stock at scale. The study uses a qualitative modelling method under the diffusion of innovations theory to formulate a retrofit-at-scale strategy for the UK. Findings recommend focusing on skill development, show homes, research and innovation, supply chain development, business models, government grants and regulatory tools in a trajectory from 2025 to 2050. The proposed strategy is aligned with the segments of the diffusion of innovation theory. Although the analysis was performed with reference to the UK, the findings are transferable, considering the broader and urgent concerns related to human and planetary health.

Author(s): Chamara Panakaduwa, Paul Coate, Nishan Mallikarachchi, Harshi Bamunuachchige and Srimal Samansiri

Date Published: 16.01.2026

Depositing User: Karolina Zasada

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/challe17010004

Keywords: Behaviour change; Diffusion of innovations; Housing retrofit; Retrofit at scale; Strategies

Pages: 18

Place of publication: Basel, Switzerland

Publication title: Challengess

Publisher: MDPI [Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute]

Subject(s): Housing retrofit at scale, Planetary health and the built environment

Type of publication: Journal Article