Transforming Existing Buildings for Carbon Reduction & Embracing Community-Led Energy Solutions
Unleashing the Power of Retrofit, Decarbonization, and the Energy Transition
Venture into the realm of eco-friendly energy solutions with this thrilling collection of resources!
- The Retrofit Blueprint - UK Green Building Council
Hailing from an EIT Climate-KIC Pathfinder project, this practical handbook serves as a go-to resource for local authorities aiming to kickstart and manage a retrofit program within their sphere. By adopting a city-led approach, urban centers can successfully meet carbon mitigation and energy efficiency targets that central government policy may neglect. Complemented by a convenient toolkit, which you can snag right here, this handbook offers funding advice on page 46.
- Energy Savings for Your Agency Playbook - National Recreation and Park Association
Originally tailored for America's Parks and Recreation agencies, the information provided in this essential guide is undeniably valuable for any department looking to cut energy consumption and hike efficiency. This invaluable resource covers everything from crunching energy numbers, creating a game plan, roping in stakeholders, and of course, monitoring progress.
- Net Zero Carbon Policy Position Paper - The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
This wide-ranging paper outlines recommendations in various policy areas for achieving zero-carbon building stock by 2050. Areas of focus include strategic drivers, regulatory and fiscal measures, skills development, and data management. Catch a quick recap of the summarized recommendations here.
- Retrofit Revolution - Technology Strategy Board
Drawing on a project that refurbished over 100 properties to reduce energy use by a whopping 80%, this report shares insights into making retrofit happen. Learn from successes, challenges, and ideas for improvement in similar projects through this eye-opening 40-property investigation.
- Community Energy Launchpad - Community Energy London
This step-by-step guide equips you with the resources and know-how to build a dynamic, vibrant, and sustainable community energy group from scratch, sans prior experience. Dive deep into details such as defining stakeholders using datasets, hatching a project idea, and establishing a governing board.
- Bolstering Community Energy - Friends of the Earth
This step-by-step guide to community renewable energy is crafted from the wisdom gleaned from 27 European projects. As the Friends of the Earth website proudly proclaims, this practical manual is "loaded with instructions, handy tips, success stories, and valuable resources to spearhead a local, community-led renewable energy revolution" for curious individuals, groups embarking on a renewable journey, or local authorities.
- Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment - World Green Building Council
Calling on businesses and cities to ensure zero-carbon emissions in their building stock by 2030, the WorldGBC has paved the way for a laudable global effort. This commitment is partnered with a framework to develop local, flexible, and universally applicable solutions for reducing energy demand and transitioning to green energy sources.
- Harvard Green Building Standards
Harvard University showcases sustainability leadership through its commitment to eco-friendly construction projects on campus. Although not exactly a guide, this roundup of initiatives and measures implemented by the prestigious academia can serve as an inspiring example for other institutions. Such initiatives encompass setting aside funding for on-site retrofit projects and implementing green policies for campuses.
- Green Building Tactics - European Commission
This single resource serves as a comprehensive hub for all things decarbonization policy, projects, and strategies. Don't miss out on retrofitting and smart technology inclusions!
- Building Overhaul Handbook - ENERGY STAR
From the nuts and bolts of technical know-how to strategic stages, this comprehensive guide covers residential, commercial, and public buildings retrofits.
In Australia, aspiring retrofit beginners can benefit from the wisdom of the Low Carbon Living CRC, who published two guides on improving residential and commercial properties tailored to suit Australia's unique climatic conditions.
- Energy-Saving Solutions for Tenement Buildings - Citizens Advice Scotland
Armed with practical and no-nonsense advice, this guide helps tenement building owners implement measures to improve energy performance. Whether you're dealing with mixed tenure or blocks owned by a single private or public landlord, this guide offers actionable tips for heavy-duty hardware, communal doors, and energy-saving quick wins like smart heating controls and window treatments.
Keep in mind that to further expand your knowledge, you can discover additional resources, including government funding, advisory services, workshops, and more through the following avenues:
- Green Municipal Fund (GMF) – Canada
- Offers funding and advisory services for community building retrofits that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 30%.
- Access step-by-step guidance, funding opportunities, and best practices by visiting the GMF website and using the FCM funding portal.
- General Services Administration (GSA) – United States
- The GSA’s High Performance Buildings Clearinghouse offers resources on deep energy retrofits and integrative, whole-systems approaches to reducing energy use by at least 40%.
- Dive into technical guides, case studies, and best practices by exploring the GSA High Performance Buildings Clearinghouse online.
- Urban Land Institute (ULI) Reports
- The ULI publishes reports and case studies on decarbonizing assets at the neighborhood scale, focusing on equitable transitions and avoiding asset stranding.
- Discover evidence-based principles, real-life case studies, and best practices by downloading ULI reports from the ULI Knowledge Finder.
- Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program (US)
- Provides significant funding to state, local, and tribal governments for industrial and building decarbonization.
- Access program materials, case studies, and insights into regional collaboration and electrification strategies by reviewing the official program website.
- Local Government Actions (e.g., Boston, Colorado)
- Many cities and states have established their own retrofit and decarbonization programs.
- Explore local government environment and energy department websites to view examples and find templates for retrofit initiatives.
As a retrofit beginner, first determine your needs (funding, technical guidance, or policy examples) and learn from peers through case studies and reports from organizations like ULI and GMF. Engage experts by using advisory services and attending workshops relevant to your sector. Finally, apply for funding and prepare strong proposals with guidance from documents and resources.
Unleash your potential as a retrofit and energy transition leader with these empowering resources at your fingertips! Keep Calm and Retrofit On!
- Dive into the practical handbook, 'The Retrofit Blueprint', by the UK Green Building Council, a go-to resource for local authorities aiming to manage a retrofit program.
- In the realm of community energy groups, consider the resource-rich guide, 'Community Energy Launchpad', published by Community Energy London, perfect for creating these groups from scratch.
- Anyone looking to cut energy consumption and boost efficiency should explore the 'Energy Savings for Your Agency Playbook' by the National Recreation and Park Association.
- To learn from successes, challenges, and ideas for improvement in similar retrofit projects, check out the 'Retrofit Revolution' report by the Technology Strategy Board.
- For those looking to build dynamic, sustainable community energy groups, the 'Bolstering Community Energy' guide by Friends of the Earth is an essential read.
- Those aiming to ensure zero-carbon emissions in their building stock by 2030 should peruse the 'Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment' by the World Green Building Council.
- For a glimpse into sustainability leadership in eco-friendly construction projects, take a look at 'Harvard Green Building Standards' by Harvard University.
- Discover a comprehensive hub for decarbonization policy, projects, and strategies in the 'Green Building Tactics' resource from the European Commission.
- The 'Building Overhaul Handbook' by ENERGY STAR offers a comprehensive guide for residential, commercial, and public buildings retrofits.
- In Australia, 'Energy-Saving Solutions for Tenement Buildings' by Citizens Advice Scotland offers actionable tips for improving energy performance in tenement buildings.
- To further expand your knowledge, explore funding and advisory services, workshops, and more through the Green Municipal Fund (GMF) in Canada.
- If you're interested in case studies and best practices on decarbonizing assets at the neighborhood scale, don't miss the reports and case studies by the Urban Land Institute (ULI).
