'The Great British Refurb': Housing for a low carbon energy future

Professor Tadj Oreszczyn,University College London

Chaired by Professor Chris Rapley, Science Museum

Almost half of the UK's energy is used in buildings to provide a safe, healthy, comfortable, productive and fun environment. Most future low carbon scenarios assume significant reductions in carbon emissions associated with the built environment over the next thirty years.

Historically however theoretical carbon reductions have not materialized, for example, new buildings often use twice the energy that would be expected and major government insulation and heating system improvements can deliver minimal improvements in energy efficiency. This is because of the highly complex socio-economic and technical systems that make up the built environment.

Major changes to research, development and deployment as well as government policy is required if major carbon reductions are to be delivered within the next thirty years.

The presentation will cover questions such as:

• How will our housing stock have to change in a low carbon future?
• Why does energy use increase sometimes when we improve the energy efficiency of buildings? Will future energy efficient buildings be healthy buildings?
• Can we fix the problem with technology alone?

Tadj Oreszczyn is Professor of Energy and Environment, Director of the UCL Energy Institute and Head of the Bartlett School of Graduate Studies, Faculty of the Built Environment, University College London

Chris Rapley is Director of the Science Museum and previously Director of the British Antarctic Survey.