Delivering net zero and commercial retrofit UKGBC
![]() |
[edit] UKGBC publish guide to accelerate industry action on commercial retrofit.
The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has published a guide to support industry to retrofit the UK's poorly performing commercial buildings.
From 2025, every commercial building in the UK will require an energy performance certificate (EPC) which rates its energy efficiency from grade A to G. The Government is seeking to strengthen these standards and has proposed that all commercial properties being let have a minimum EPC rating of at least 'B' by 2030 and is considering a possible interim requirement of level 'C' by 2027. Buildings which fail to meet these new standards would require owners and landlords of commercial buildings to upgrade their stock.
UKGBC's new guide, Delivering Net Zero: Key considerations for Commercial Retrofit, aims to provide industry with a common approach to commercial retrofit through the lens of net zero carbon. It begins by providing much needed clarity on retrofit types such as "light retrofit" and "deep retrofit", enabling built environment practitioners from varied backgrounds to speak with a common language and improve cross-industry communication. It outlines 10 fundamental considerations for net zero focused retrofits as well as real-world case studies which exemplify these considerations. The approach set out within the report provides property owners and key stakeholders with a transparent picture of the value of opting for a net zero focused retrofit versus standard practice.
Informed by a cross-industry advisory group, the guidance highlights the actions which built environment practitioners should take to address the role existing commercial buildings play in the industry's trajectory to net zero.
The guide has been designed to support industry professionals and stakeholders who are involved in the scoping, planning, delivery, and management of commercial retrofits with the intention of enabling successful delivery of net zero focused retrofit project outcomes.
UKGBC’s Head of Climate Action, Yetunde Abdul said: “Improving the energy efficiency of commercial buildings could reduce nearly one quarter of the UK built environment’s total carbon footprint. Whilst government regulation in this space is beginning to recognise the action needed to improve the performance of commercial real estate, without accelerated industry action we will fail to achieve our net zero goals – both as a sector and as an economy.
"Drawing from established industry thinking and discussions with built environment professionals, this foundation setting publication has outlined key information to support and ensure the right considerations are made from beginning to end of the project to deliver net zero.”
[edit] Download the report
This article first appeared on the CIAT News website on May 30, entitled 'UKGBC publish guide to accelerate industry action on commercial retrofit.'
--CIAT
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Alteration work.
- Carbon negative.
- Carbon ratings for buildings.
- Closing the gap between design and as-built performance.
- Definitions of retrofitting.
- Emission rates.
- Energy efficiency of traditional buildings.
- Energy Performance Certificates.
- Fabric first investigation into net zero for existing buildings.
- Fabric first.
- How to deal with retrofit risks.
- LETI publishes Climate Emergency Retrofit Guide.
- National Refurbishment Centre.
- National Retrofit Strategy NRS.
- Net zero carbon 2050.
- Net zero carbon buildings.
- PAS 2038:2021 Retrofitting non-domestic buildings for improved energy efficiency.
- Refurbishment.
- Renovation.
- Renovation v refurbishment v retrofit.
- Retrofit and traditional approaches to comfort.
- Retrofit coordinator.
- Retrofitting solar shading.
- Shallow retrofit.
- Sustainability in facility management.
- Step-by-step retrofit.
- What we need for the journey to net-zero carbon emissions.
- A zero-carbon UK by 2050?
Featured articles and news
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.