Understanding carbon in the historic environment : scoping study

The UK is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050, necessitating fundamental changes in energy sources and end uses over the next three decades. As climate change mitigation policy continues to grow in importance, securing and communicating opportunities to improve …

Year: 2019 Authors: Duffy, Aidan / Nerguti, Aneta / Engel Purcell, Caroline / Cox, Peter Source: Historic England Type: Topic: , , , , Region: Language:

A study of architectural measures to reduce overheating

Historic England commissioned this report to identify historic architectural measures that can demonstrate and support England’s historic buildings in adapting to the changing climate. The purpose of this report is to investigate how passive architectural measures, such as awnings or …

Year: 2026 Authors: Ruhlig, Vanessa / Boddington, Jen Source: Historic England Type: , Topic: , , , , , Region: Language:

Heat pumps in historic buildings : air source heat pump case studies – large buildings

Electrifying heat is key to reducing reliance on fossil fuels for historic buildings. No technology is better placed to electrify heat for space heating than heat pumps. The technology is mature, and if the whole heating system is well designed …

Year: 2026 Authors: McNaughton, Dan Source: Historic England's case studies Type: Topic: , , , , , Region: Language:

Heat pumps in historic buildings : the viability of ground source heat pumps in historic buildings

This project was commissioned by Historic England and carried out by Max Fordham LLP. The research aligns directly with Historic England’s climate change and sustainability objectives. Electrifying heat is key to reducing reliance on fossil fuels across the heritage sector. …

Year: 2026 Authors: Fordham, Max / McNaughton, Dan Source: Historic England Type: , Topic: , , , , , Region: Language:

Energy efficiency and decarbonisation case study : Keelmen’s Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne

This case study focuses on the decision-making process during the project's design phase to repair and reuse Keelmen’s Hospital to accommodate affordable flats. It demonstrates how energy efficiency and decarbonisation goals can be balanced with the protection and enhancement of …

Year: 2026 Authors: Dixon, Samantha / Vaughan, Adam / Polenz, Maya / Carballeira Rodriguez, Maria Source: Historic England's case studies Type: , , Topic: , , , , , , Region: Language:

Historic England Webinar Recordings

Historic England Webinar Recordings provides free access to an extensive archive of recorded webinars covering a wide range of topics related to cultural heritage conservation and management. The collection includes expert presentations on building conservation, climate adaptation, energy efficiency, heritage …

Decarbonizing the Built Environment through Heritage! The complete Toolkit

The Decarbonizing the Built Environment Through Heritage Toolkit supports education, advocacy, and policymaking on heritage-informed decarbonization from the global to the local scale. Heritage-informed decarbonization is summarized through five principles applicable to global-, urban- and community-level climate change mitigation efforts. …

Decarbonizing the Built Environment Through Heritage Atlas

The Decarbonizing the Built Environment Through Heritage Atlas— is a sortable repository of examples of heritage-informed decarbonization from around the world. These examples include tools, guidelines, materials, buildings, places, policies, and programs showcasing heritage-informed decarbonization across diverse contexts.

Year: 2026 Authors: Built Buildings Lab Source: Built Buildings Lab Type: Topic: , , , , , , , , Region: , Language:

Zero‐Emission and Zero Demolition: Promoting Conservation Interests Through the Implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive

To achieve “zero‐emission” in buildings, “zero demolition”—keeping existing buildings in use—could be promoted to a greater extent. Continuous use can even prove to be beneficial for climate mitigation as well as for conservation of heritage values in the building stock. …

Year: 2025 Authors: Donarelli, Anna Source: Vol 10 (2025): Aligning Heritage Conservation and Climate Mitigation Through Adaptive Reuse Type: , Topic: , , , , , , Region: , Language:

Energy Efficiency and Retrofit in Historic Buildings

Well considered maintenance and repair work should always be the first step to ensure the longevity of our built heritage. However, it is becoming increasingly important to adapt historic buildings, to make them more resilient to the effects of climate …

Year: 2026 Authors: Historic England Source: Historic England Type: , Topic: , , , , , , , Region: Language: