A Just Transition in Retrofits

This event has ended
8 May 2025, 2:00pm - 5:00pm

Evidence shows that Londoners are motivated to help prevent climate change – but for London alone to achieve net zero carbon emissions, 2.2m homes across the capital must be adapted to be more energy-efficient. Residents may also need to equip their homes to deal with heatwaves and other impacts of climate change. These changes are known as retrofitting.

The lived experiences of vulnerable or underrepresented groups – particularly those with protected characteristics relating to age, disability, ethnicity, gender or sex – need to be recognised and responded to for London to achieve a ‘just’ transition in retrofits, ensuring that no one is left behind in the journey to low carbon living.

To ensure fairness is at the heart of policies and programmes, we first need to understand what needs to change, how people are adapting, and what they need to achieve a just transition. Throughout our research, we heard a range of viewpoints and experiences – from those creating policies, those delivering retrofit programmes, and those living in homes across London whose experiences are often less heard.

This event will discuss and support a shift to greener, healthier homes, with policy recommendations to deliver retrofit that is centred around London residents’ needs and housing conditions. We hope these insights inspire action, innovation and connection – and are excited to see how London can lead the way for all towards a just transition in retrofits.

This programme was run by The Young Foundation, commissioned by the London Sustainable Development Commission.

Event schedule

2pm Arrival, welcome and introductions

2.20pm Why this work is important – Syed Ahmed, London Sustainable Development Commissioner and Chair of Community Energy London

2.30pm What a ‘just transition’ means for London – Mete Coban, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy

2.40pm Our process, findings and recommendations – Tania Carregha and Leonie Taylor, The Young Foundation

3pm Hearing from peer researchers involved in the project

3.30pm What this means for us – panel discussion and response from key stakeholders to the recommendations. Panellists include representatives from Warmer Homes London, local government, and peer researcher. A Q&A will follow the discussion.

4.30pm Networking