ICF: Indoor HABItability during the Transition to Net Zero Housing Hub: INHABIT
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Birmingham
Department Name: Sch of Geography, Earth & Env Sciences
Abstract
To meet its legally-binding target of achieving net zero emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) by 2050, the UK must eliminate GHG emissions from homes. This enormous task involves retrofitting—the process of upgrading the energy efficiency—of the 29 million homes.
These retrofits will significantly change indoor environments, bringing health co-benefits by improving home warmth during the winter and providing protection against harmful outdoor air pollutants. However, if not done properly, these modifications can trap indoor air pollutants and moisture, deteriorating indoor air quality and causing issues such as damp/mould. These conditions can adversely affect health and wellbeing, particularly for the most vulnerable in society, such as older people and those with pre-existing conditions like asthma.
An opportunity and challenges
Retrofitting the UK's homes will require a substantial investment—estimated at £250 billion by 2050. This offers an unprecedented opportunity to enhance environmental and socio-economic outcomes, including public health improvements and reduced inequalities.
However, our current lack of scientific knowledge and tools hampers our ability to fully capitalise on this potential. Specifically, we lack understanding of how retrofitting impacts the indoor environment and health in real-world scenarios and we do not have comprehensive tools to assess both positive and negative health impacts of retrofit options. Furthermore, our insights into the complex interactions among the indoor environment, health, inequalities, behaviours, and regulatory and financial frameworks are limited.
The INHABIT Hub has been specifically established to tackle these complex challenges.
These retrofits will significantly change indoor environments, bringing health co-benefits by improving home warmth during the winter and providing protection against harmful outdoor air pollutants. However, if not done properly, these modifications can trap indoor air pollutants and moisture, deteriorating indoor air quality and causing issues such as damp/mould. These conditions can adversely affect health and wellbeing, particularly for the most vulnerable in society, such as older people and those with pre-existing conditions like asthma.
An opportunity and challenges
Retrofitting the UK's homes will require a substantial investment—estimated at £250 billion by 2050. This offers an unprecedented opportunity to enhance environmental and socio-economic outcomes, including public health improvements and reduced inequalities.
However, our current lack of scientific knowledge and tools hampers our ability to fully capitalise on this potential. Specifically, we lack understanding of how retrofitting impacts the indoor environment and health in real-world scenarios and we do not have comprehensive tools to assess both positive and negative health impacts of retrofit options. Furthermore, our insights into the complex interactions among the indoor environment, health, inequalities, behaviours, and regulatory and financial frameworks are limited.
The INHABIT Hub has been specifically established to tackle these complex challenges.
Organisations
- University of Birmingham (Lead Research Organisation)
- EPSRC (Co-funder)
- National Inst. Health & Care Research (Co-funder)
- Wyre Forest District Council (Project Partner)
- Energy Saving Trust (Project Partner)
- CITY OF YORK COUNCIL (Project Partner)
- Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (Project Partner)
- Oxfordshire County Council (Project Partner)
- Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council (Project Partner)
- CITY OF EDINBURGH COUNCIL (Project Partner)
- Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (Project Partner)
- Walsall Housing Group (Project Partner)
- Public Health Scotland (Project Partner)
- MET OFFICE (Project Partner)
- SOLIHULL METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL (Project Partner)
- Worcestershire County Council (Project Partner)
- Department for Energy Security and Net Z (Project Partner)
- HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL (Project Partner)
- Mann+Hummel (Germany) (Project Partner)
- Midland Heart (Project Partner)
- Sustainable Scotland Network (Project Partner)
- Citizen Housing Group Limited (Project Partner)
- LEEDS CITY COUNCIL (Project Partner)
- BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL (Project Partner)
- SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT (Project Partner)
- West Midlands Combined Authority (Project Partner)
- HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE (Project Partner)
- Clarion Housing Association (Project Partner)
- Coventry City Council (Project Partner)
- Chartered Inst of Building Serv Eng (Project Partner)
- Walsall Council (Project Partner)
