Future Buildings Working Group

Carbon emissions from domestic and non-domestic buildings in York – including homes, business premises, and public and community buildings – account for around two-thirds of the city’s directly produced carbon emissions (CO₂e). Reducing these emissions is essential if York is to meet its climate goals.

The Future Buildings Working Group focuses on how the city’s built environment can contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation. This includes the energy use of existing buildings as well as the impact of new developments.

A key area of work is the sustainable, low-carbon improvement of existing buildings – often referred to as ‘retrofitting’ – as the vast majority of buildings in use in 2050 already exist today. The group also considers the role of the planning system in enabling energy-efficient, low-carbon new build developments that support healthier homes and workplaces.

The group’s purpose is to inform, influence and help shape decisions made by civil society, government and businesses in and around York. It does this both directly – by engaging with key stakeholders – and indirectly, by feeding into the wider work of the York Climate Commission. The group aims to add value to existing initiatives and support scaling up of positive activity, in line with York’s Climate Change Strategy and Climate Action Plan.

Current Activity and Collaboration

Members of the working group are involved in a range of practical initiatives to support building retrofit and energy efficiency across York:

• ROSSY (Retrofit One Stop Shop York) – a collaborative project, led by SEI and developed with the City of York Council, offering complete retrofit guidance and services to households via the YorEnergy platform.

• Social landlord retrofit programmes – improving energy efficiency at scale to reduce bills and create warmer, healthier homes.

• York Community Energy – providing advice and developing community-owned renewable energy projects.

• York Retrofit Network – connecting contractors and partners to share experience and strengthen local delivery.

• Strategic input – contributing to:

  • The York and North Yorkshire Retrofit Strategy, and

  • The updated Heat and Buildings chapter of the York and North Yorkshire Routemap to Carbon Negative (both due for public consultation in autumn 2025).
     

Working Group Members