Read this new policy brief, stemming from collaborative research by Hannah Charles, Stefan Bouzarovski, Rob Bellamy, and Alexandra Gormally-Sutton, in partnership with One Manchester. Focusing on a case study housing estate, Hannah Charles’ PhD project (leading to the brief) examined how retrofit interventions affect the everyday lives of social housing residents. The brief highlights the social dimensions of decarbonization, revealing both the opportunities and challenges of improving residential energy efficiency. Beyond individual experiences, the brief addresses systemic issues – particularly the financial and logistical hurdles of scaling retrofits across the sector – while offering actionable insights into how social housing can meet ambitious climate goals without compromising affordability.
People and Energy Collective 