Low carbon heritage: Residents' views from Cumbria and the English Lake District World Heritage Site

Wise, Freya; Moncaster, Alice; Jones, Derek

Abstract

Carbon emissions from the built environment must be urgently reduced to mitigate climate change. Retrofit of existing buildings is key. However, heritage buildings pose a particular challenge, particularly domestic buildings where retrofit is mainly resident-driven. This paper analyses a survey of residents of pre-1940 buildings, exploring attitudes to carbon reduction, access to information sources, and planning policies. The study found that residents strongly desire to reduce carbon emissions from their older buildings but considered this to be difficult. Costs and knowledge were key challenges, but heritage values, planning barriers, and lack of tradespeople, were also important. Most felt local planning policies were appropriate but potentially inconsistent. Residents accessed multiple sources for carbon reduction advice but preferred local and informal over statutory sources. The majority were unsure what information heritage organisations held. The study therefore highlighted the need to make information on carbon reduction more visible and targeted to residents.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (Published)
• Conference Name: The 4th International Conference on Energy Efficiency in Historic Buildings
• Start Date: May 4, 2023
• Acceptance Date: Jan 1, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023
• Deposit Date: Jul 13, 2023
• Pages: 219-227
• Book Title: EEHB 2022 Post Prints. The 4th International Conference on Energy Efficiency in Historic Buildings
• ISBN: 9783738807790
• Keywords: Carbon; Energy; Heritage buildings; Users; Retrofit
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10938341