RetroNetZero RS&IN
(Retrofit Net-Zero Buildings – Regulatory Science & Innovation Network)
A collaborative network to unlock the adoption of innovation in domestic retrofit.
RetroNetZero RS&IN is an Innovate UK-funded project now in its implementation phase, having successfully completed its discovery phase in 2024. The Network will explore the regulatory challenges to the deployment of products in domestic retrofit, which are preventing potential new solutions from contributing to the rapid upscaling of retrofit needed for the UK to meet its net zero carbon targets.
Regulations are not keeping pace with innovation in the retrofit sector. The focus for the RS&IN is on where regulatory science can provide a solution and address evidence gaps to allow policies and regulations to align with pro-innovation ambitions. The RS&IN will help policymakers and regulators identify, understand and assess different approaches to regulating new technologies.
The RS&IN will build on relevant work undertaken by others (e.g. the Energy Systems Catapult, BE-ST, Innovate UK project TransformER), to amplify existing guidance and connect research opportunities.
Partners
RetroNetZero RS&IN is a ‘network of networks’, leveraging existing trusted relationships to foster collaboration, remove silo-working and ensure the necessary linkage between innovators, regulatory science providers, regulators, specifiers and designers, trade associations and other stakeholders, to facilitate meaningful change.
- BRE
- Construction Products Association
- National Retrofit Hub
- National Energy Foundation
- Planet Mark
- The Building Research Establishment is the leading centre of building science in the United Kingdom
- Contribute to a thriving and sustainable world by developing science-led solutions for built environment challenges
- At the forefront of research and development in the Built Environment for over a century
- Expertise:
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- Energy policy, SAP, HEM and Appendix Q as an Innovation pathway
- Retrofit technologies for housing
- Stakeholder engagement
- Network lead (Constructing Excellence)
- Expertise in collaborative project management
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- The Construction Products Association is the overarching trade association for construction product manufacturers and suppliers
- CPA’s membership network comprises both companies and 40 product sector trade associations – ceramics, timber, roofing, aggregates, windows, steel etc
- The sector has an annual turnover of £62.5 billion and directly provides jobs for 382,500 people across almost 24,000 companies in the UK.
- Benefits to members include expert advice on economic forecasts for the construction sector, an industry voice in developing government policy and legislation on technical and sustainability themes, and the promotion of good practice across the sector
- Expertise:
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- Construction product manufacturing and supply chains
- Building safety, EU and UK Construction Product Regulations (UK CA and EU CE marks)
- Sustainability measurement and reporting, strategies for delivering Net Zero
- Retrofit innovation
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- The National Retrofit Hub is a nonprofit collaborative organisation that brings together all those involved in the retrofit sector to share their expertise and work together to enable the local delivery of retrofit at scale in line with a National Retrofit Strategy.
- Our mission is for existing buildings to meet the health & wellbeing needs of all people and contribute to achieving the UK’s energy security and Net Zero targets.
- What we bring:
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- Collaborating, empowering and facilitating action across the retrofit landscape
- Outputs to benefit the retrofit sector
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- The National Energy Foundation (NEF) is a registered charity established in 1988, based in Milton Keynes.
- Our focus is domestic retrofit and we have two core aims:
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- Facilitating reduction of household emissions
- Alleviation of fuel poverty through ‘Affordable Warmth’ initiatives
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- Expertise:
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- Our ‘SuperHomes’ programme has been supporting homeowners with whole home retrofit advice since 2007
- Our ‘Better Housing Better Health’ service working with funders including LA’s, DNO’s, Energy suppliers
- Management of a retrofit supplier / installer network
- Access to a community of engaged retrofit customers / consumers
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- Planet Mark is an internationally-recognised sustainability certification and net zero consultancy for organisations and the built environment. For over a decade, we have supported 800+ organisations to radically reduce carbon emissions, create operational efficiencies and work towards the global transition to net zero.
- Expertise:
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- Built environment certifications for new developments, retrofits, fit-outs and ongoing property decarbonisation.
- Organisational certification recognising continual year-on-year decarbonisation
- Net Zero Strategy Development
- Supported development of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard
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Scope
Innovation in products, materials, technologies, services, efficient processes and techniques for delivery of net zero solutions into domestic retrofit. A core principle of the Network will be to uphold safety, consumer protection and the delivery of reliable energy, carbon, cost, comfort and health performance in homes.
What is regulatory science?
Regulatory science is the use of scientific methods to assess the safety, quality, and efficacy of products. It also involves developing new tools and standards to help make regulatory decisions.
Proposed Network Activities During the Implementation Phase (Year 1)
- The Network’s online presence will be created, providing signposting to resources on regulatory pathways and to regulatory science organisations relevant to deploying products into domestic retrofit.
- Test the process for identifying regulatory challenges with stakeholders and proposing science-based solutions.
- Obtain consensus and support for the proposed solutions to challenges with the sector and regulator/ policymaker community.
- Develop and test a business model and plan for the RS&IN network beyond year 1.
Challenge and Solution Identification
A key activity of the RS&IN will be to study specific regulatory challenges identified by stakeholders and shape proposed solutions that should accelerate adoption of innovation. The Network will run 3 rapid cycles of study and engagement over 12 months, aiming to tackle 3 specific identified challenges in each cycle. Challenges may fall into the following categories:
- Resource: Knowledge creation and sharing, to help those navigating the regulatory ecosystem.
- Feasibility: Investigation to stress-test and refine needs for recognised challenges, but where the technical requirement is not yet well-defined. (May prompt a subsequent ‘technical’ challenge.)
- Technical: Develop specific evidence needed.
Solutions may include direct policy or regulatory recommendations, signposting to existing information or creation of new resources if lacking, the scoping and justification for deeper regulatory science research, a call for evidence, development/ amendment of standard(s), etc.
Current Activities
Cycle 1: CHALLENGE 1 (Resource): INNOVATION ADOPTION PATHWAYS
“Obscure, complex and “unclear route to adoption” into domestic retrofit for any innovation. It is a complex landscape to navigate and there is no single point of clarity for innovators who are considering embarking on the journey to adoption.
Cycle 1: CHALLENGE 2 (Resource): REGULATORY SCIENCE CAPACITY COLLABORATION MAP
“Unclear where to validate my technology” and who delivers collaborative R&D solutions.
Cycle 1: CHALLENGE 3 (Feasibility): CO-BENEFITS OF DOMESTIC RETROFIT
“Retrofit needs to be driven by wellbeing”, healthy homes, fuel poverty, lower bills not just net zero carbon.
In development:
- Product conformity / consumer protection
- Retrofit innovation observatory
- Monitoring and demonstration alignment framework
- Performance / longevity of bio-based insulation materials
Contact Us
If you are interested in getting involved or would like to find out more, please get in touch.
