Historical trends in domestic energy efficiency retrofits and the potential for near-term market growth

1. Introduction and summary of requirements / Preamble

The Climate Change Committee (CCC) is an independent, statutory body established under the Climate Change Act 2008. Our purpose is to advise the UK and devolved governments on emissions targets and to report to Parliament on progress made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

The aim of this project is to expand our understanding of the historical extent of energy efficiency retrofits, identify current market trends, and assess the capacity for existing supply chains to grow and deliver the volume of retrofits implied by our Sixth Carbon Budget Pathways.

2. Background

Across the UK, the number of energy efficiency measures installed in homes through government-backed schemes peaked in [2012]. Since then, installations have fallen significantly. The Government's target is for all UK homes to be at least EPC C by [2030]. However, at the current rate of progress this target will not be reached for decades.

There is good data available which describes the number of households that have received energy efficiency improvements through government schemes, such as the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), the Green Deal Framework, the Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery Scheme (LAD) and the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF). However, we lack similar information about the extent of retrofits undertaken by owner occupiers, landlords and others without government backing.

Rising energy prices have improved the economic case for energy efficiency. Reducing energy waste from homes is also an essential step to reduce emissions from buildings and reach Net Zero.

As we (the CCC) are preparing work for our 2023 Progress Report, and the Seventh Carbon Budget, we want to update our approach to assessing the state of domestic energy efficiency. This entails developing a more comprehensive understanding of the current state of energy efficiency in UK homes, and the path the market has taken over the past fifteen years. We want to understand the remaining potential to improve homes, and the capacity within the market to grow supply chains to meet this need.

We are tendering a project to develop this understanding. The tendered work needs to be delivered by [19/04/2023], at a cost of £32,000 - £40,000 excluding VAT.

The CCC's past reports are available: http://www.theccc.org.uk/reports/.

*** Please see Specification for more detail ***

Additional information: Revised specification and ITT added 16.12.22 - change to dates