FST BLOG

SHAPEing the Decarbonisation Transition in the Built Environment - Balancing Efficiency and Resilience

• 9 May 2025
• Education, Environment, General, Technology
• Dr Jill Zhao

There exist two strands of underpinning forces that drive the climate response in the built environment: one from a positivist perspective, rooted in a techno-economic paradigm, focusing on efficiency, with the help of advances in engineering and technology in optimising and producing cheap, renewable energy for the increasing human demand without slowing down the speed of development.

The second strand is from an interpretivist perspective, rooted in a socio-technical paradigm, advocating resilience. It takes a more holistic approach and a whole-system consideration, emphasising equitable and just social transitions en route to decarbonisation. This strand of thinking focuses on the social, political, financial, and organisational systems surrounding the technological advances, examining issues such as governance, skills transition, public engagement, demand reduction, and behaviour change in the decarbonisation process.

The two strands are not mutually exclusive, but mostly in a parallel development since the 1960s. The emphasis on energy efficiency and Net Zero has been dominating the built environment and sustainability agenda for the past decade. Examples of such an approach manifest in the UK in top-down interventions such as the tightening up of the Building Regulations, government-backed energy retrofit schemes, and EPC measures, as well as technical advances such as heat pumps and renewables.

Significant reductions in household energy consumption are essential to achieve the UK’s decarbonisation targets. Households in fuel poverty are still estimated to be between 3 million and 6 million in the UK, depending on the measurement[1][2]. Focusing on energy efficiency and quantitative measures of energy savings provides demonstrable evidence that sustainability initiatives are not only environmentally responsible but also economically viable, leading to measurable reductions in energy consumption and operational costs.

However, whilst stressing efficiency from a techno-economic perspective, social barriers are often overlooked or under-emphasised in the decarbonisation process, resulting in a social system lacking in resilience.

Several government-backed energy retrofit grants or funding schemes so far yielded unfavourable results (e.g. Green Homes Grant (GHG); Green Deal (GD); Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), etc.) due to a combination of reasons. These include: short-term plan, installer shortage, administrative failure, unattractive financial model, high upfront cost, limited awareness, eligibility gaps, and complex processes leading to low uptake and curbed benefits received by households. The majority of the issues presented are social barriers, rather than technical ones, which have led to the failures of such schemes.

The Government has launched the Warm Homes Plan designed to lift over 1 million households out of fuel poverty by 2030. However, its success hinges on overcoming technical, financial, and social barriers—a task that demands collaboration between engineering and social science disciplines.

The Role of SHAPE discipline in Decarbonisation

SHAPE stands for an overarching research area in Social Science, Humanities, Arts for People and Environment/Economy. Transitioning to low-carbon heating systems involves individuals, households, and communities making significant changes to their daily lives.

One key area where SHAPE contributes is understanding public attitudes and behaviours. Research has shown that many homeowners are reluctant to invest in energy efficiency upgrades due to high upfront costs, lack of awareness, or skepticism about the benefits. Social scientists help identify these barriers and develop strategies to address them, such as designing targeted communication campaigns or creating engaging activities that align with household priorities[3].

Community engagement is another critical aspect of decarbonisation. Retrofitting programs often require buy-in from local residents, particularly in social housing or community-led projects. SHAPE researchers play a vital role in facilitating dialogues between stakeholders, ensuring that the voices of residents are heard and their needs are met. This collaborative approach not only improves the success of retrofitting initiatives but also builds trust and social capital.

Equity is a central concern in decarbonising the built environment. Fuel poverty disproportionately affects low-income households, who are often unable to afford energy efficiency upgrades or new heating systems. SHAPE research highlights the importance of designing policies that prioritize vulnerable groups, ensuring that the benefits of decarbonisation are distributed fairly. This includes advocating for grants, subsidies, and other forms of financial support to make retrofitting accessible to all.

SHAPEing Decarbonisation in the Built Environment

The integration of SHAPE research in UK’s route to Net Zero is essential for addressing the complex challenges of decarbonising the built environment. SHAPE research contributes to understanding how policies are received by the public, how they align with cultural norms, and how they can be framed to foster engagement and compliance. This helps policymakers move beyond top-down mandates and toward more inclusive, adaptive strategies that account for local contexts and social equity, creating more resilient communities in the transition to Net Zero. Learning from failures, SHAPE research could address social and organisational issues highlighted in previous underperformed retrofit schemes, and assist with the effective plan, delivery, governance, and the uptake of the Warm Homes Plan. 

Training and workforce development also benefit significantly from a SHAPE-informed approach. As the UK seeks to scale up retrofitting and green construction, there is a growing need for a skilled workforce that not only understands advanced building technologies but also the lived experiences and motivations of those occupying these spaces. Interdisciplinary training that combines technical knowledge with social awareness ensures that interventions are both efficient and user-centred.

Ultimately, SHAPE research enhances the effectiveness, legitimacy, and inclusiveness of Net Zero strategies, striking a balance between efficiency and resilience[4]. It ensures that the transition to a low-carbon future is not only technologically sound but also socially grounded and responsive to the real-world complexities of people’s lives.

 

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