10097914Empowering Tenant-Led RetrofittingClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKThe recent change in Government policy on Energy Efficiency Certificates (EPCs) in the Private Rented Sector (PRS) will inevitably see the decarbonisation of this sector slowing significantly. Yet this now may have given the green light to tenants to take the initiative. Tenants have actually had the right to undertake energy efficiency improvements ('retrofitting', e.g. solar panels or air source heat pumps) since 2016, but put off by the risk of eviction. Tenants are now about to be given more security under the Renters (Reform) Bill. The PRS has been very slow to improve its energy efficiency. It represents 20% of homes in England, with a staggering 3.25 million (64%) of EPCs below 'C' (this was to have been the new minimum standard), each emitting some 220% more carbon than for properties rated A-C. Rightmove's 'The Greener Homes Report', found that 19% of tenants say that potential energy bills and the eco credentials of a property will be a "major factor" when choosing a home. Rent as a proportion to disposable income is accelerating, in many cases more than 40%, impacting physical and mental health. A growing proportion of private renters are older, live alone and have no intention of moving. There is therefore a groundswell of demand by tenants to invest in the sustainability of their accommodation. This sector's complexity, driven by the intricate relationships among landlords, tenants, and managing agents, has stymied innovation in the energy sector until now. We are excited to introduce MyGreenDoor, a ground-breaking AI-driven procurement app which creates buying groups for tenants so that they can access significant supplier discounts and secure retrofit solutions appropriate to them. MyGreenDoor guides tenants through buying decision pathways and into appropriate buying groups. Artificial intelligence is used to more precisely predict what buying group formations will elicit the best deals from suppliers. Through these buying groups, local retrofit supply chains benefit from volume sales. Suppliers are also incentivised to offer integrated solutions rather than just products, encouraging more innovation in the way that solutions are sold and financed, for example 'Comfort-as-a-Service'. This project will significantly enhance MyGreenDoor's early-stage prototype, engaging tenants in a Bristol-based human-centred design initiative. MyGreenDoor represents a significant stride toward a greener, more sustainable future, based on a commitment to giving everyone access to innovation, leveraging public funds to effectively deliver Net Zero locally.