This project will investigate area-based retrofit options, develop local supply chain solutions, and raise awareness about retrofit benefits across the Calderdale Borough. The project is a collaboration between
Calderdale Council, Carbon Co-op, and
Todmorden Learning Centre and Community Hub, funded by and forms part of
Innovate UK’s Net Zero Living Programme and runs from July 2023 to the end of July 2025.
As part of this team, Carbon Co-op will be researching and developing feasibility studies for area-based approaches to retrofit for Calderdale.
Retrofitting is crucial in Calderdale, where about 50% of private sector homes were built before 1919, particularly in hard-to-treat stone terrace styles. According to Calderdale’s Emission Reduction Pathway, buildings account for 51% of the borough’s emissions. To achieve net zero, approximately 69,000 homes need retrofitting. The Calderdale Retrofit Challenge project aligns with the borough’s draft Climate Action Plan, focusing on creating warm and resilient buildings as part of the strategy to meet the net zero target by 2038.
If you are interested in the project do get in touch at info@retrofit.coop.
**UPDATE**
We recently completed the Calderdale Retrofit Challenge project!
The Calderdale Retrofit Challenge project aimed to better understand the significant challenge of decarbonising Calderdale’s housing stock, particularly the pre-1919 stone terraces that can be complex and expensive to decarbonise. Beyond technical hurdles, the project specifically focused on understanding approaches to overcoming non-technical barriers, through community-led engagement.
The non technical barriers included:
- Limited access to finance
- Difficulty in finding trusted, reputable contractors
- Fragmented communication
- Expensive, costly piecemeal delivery; and
- A general lack of awareness by householders about retrofit, and the different options and types of energy efficiency works suitable for their homes
The project delivered a series of integrated outputs forming a strong foundation for area-based retrofit delivery in Calderdale:
- Feasibility Studies: Conducted by Carbon Co-op, these included a horizon scan of Area-Based Schemes (ABS) across the UK and two area-based scenario studies (Halifax and Todmorden) to identify place-based retrofit opportunities and barriers.
- Net Zero engagement activities: A varied program, including focus groups, community festivals, drop-in sessions, and digital engagement, engaged diverse communities, raising awareness, and gathering insights on affordability, trust in contractors, and interest in local advice.
- Citizens’ Jury: Calderdale’s first Citizens’ Jury on home retrofit focused on homeowners, especially those in stone-walled properties. The Jury’s insights and recommendations were critical in shaping the project’s strategic thinking and influencing Calderdale’s Retrofit Strategy.
- Development of A Retrofit Guide for Example Homes in Calderdale: In partnership with People Powered Retrofit, this clear, visual tool provides information tailored to main housing types in Calderdale, outlining retrofit measures, challenges, and practical pathways.
You can read the full and
final report here.
You can access and download a copy of
the Citizens’ Jury case study here and read more about it
here.
You can access and download a copy of
A Retrofit Guide for Example Homes in Calderdale here.
