On Thursday February 27, 2025, McBains hosted an insightful roundtable discussion on ‘The Pathway to Decarbonising and Retrofitting Social Housing’, chaired by Marie Kemplay, Deputy Editor of Financial Times Sustainable Views.
The session brought together a diverse and knowledgeable group of industry professionals to discuss key topics including overcoming challenges to effective retrofit delivery, funding insights and best practice.
It was an engaging and productive conversation highlighting the importance of collaboration in tackling these pressing issues and we are especially grateful to all of the attendees for their valuable contributions.
Key Takeaways from the Discussion
1. The Need for a Stable Policy Landscape
Participants highlighted the challenges posed by evolving government policies, particularly shifting Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) standards. The roundtable called for a long-term, transparent policy framework to enable better planning and resource allocation for retrofit projects.
2. Maximising the Impact of Funding
The discussion examined how funds such as the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund Wave 3 can be leveraged efficiently. While these funds are essential, their short-term nature often creates challenges for providers, who must balance immediate energy efficiency upgrades with long-term decarbonisation strategies.
3. Overcoming Retrofit Barriers
Attendees identified common hurdles in delivering large-scale retrofits, including a lack of detailed data on housing stock, the complexities of meeting PAS 2035 standards, and the need for more flexible reporting requirements. Improved data sharing and planning were highlighted as essential to ensuring meaningful progress.
4. Engaging Residents for a Smoother Transition
The importance of resident engagement in retrofit projects was a recurring theme. Social housing providers shared insights on how educating residents about new energy technologies, such as heat pumps, can reduce resistance and enhance project success.
5. Collaboration as the Cornerstone of Success
A key takeaway from the event was the need for stronger collaboration among housing providers, funding bodies, policymakers, retrofit experts (McBains are always available to support), and contractors. Establishing cross-sector partnerships and knowledge-sharing platforms can drive innovation and efficiency in retrofit projects.
Industry Voices: Reflections on the Roundtable
The event was well-received, with attendees sharing their thoughts on the value of the discussions:
- Pete Best, AES: “This was a great session and a valuable opportunity to share ideas and best practices. Thanks to McBains for organising.”
- Kasang Kajang, Ksquared: “Perfectly timed for such an insightful roundtable! It was great to be included in the discussions.”
- Bryan Padley, CHS Group: “Excellent opportunity to knowledge-share.”
- Ben Earl, Sustainability Leader and Past Chair of NGOs: “Really enjoyed being part of the discussion, thanks to McBains for convening it!”
Looking Ahead
The roundtable underscored the importance of taking a holistic approach to decarbonisation, one that balances policy compliance with the practical realities of retrofitting the UK’s aging housing stock. McBains remains committed to fostering collaboration and driving forward-thinking solutions to help shape a more sustainable future for social housing.
Download the full summary of the roundtable discussion here:
McBains Roundtable Event Report 2025
