Generation Homes is an initiative that aims to establish a systematic approach to reducing carbon emissions from existing houses by more than 60% through deploying integrated low-carbon technical solutions as part of major refurbishment work. As a result, individual houses will emit no more than 2 tCO₂/year, which is the Generation Homes standard (find out more about the GH standard here).

The problem:
1. 80% of the existing UK housing stock will still be with us in 2050 due to slow rates of replacement and therefore it is necessary to seriously address its current comfort levels and energy performance.

2. the Government has set a target of 60% carbon emission reductions by 2050 in order to help prevent catastrophic consequences as a result of climate change, but some sectors like housing need to achieve more to compensate for other areas (such as transport) where emissions are increasing.

3. there are many available technical solutions for reducing energy consumption and demand in houses, but they are typically applied on a piecemeal basis, with marginal impact.

The solution:
1. intensive and large scale refurbishment programmes across the housing stock, targeting low-energy and sustainability outcomes.

2. emission reductions of more than 60% from individual houses, with systematic replication across the housing sector.

3. integrated packages of technical solutions that are developed and applied in the most energy and cost effective way through economies of scale and a whole supply chain approach.

The Generation Homes Partnership comprises public and private sector organisations, covering the whole building and low-carbon supply chain. Thus, we are able to deliver initial large scale demonstration projects at a better value for money. Our approach generates business opportunities through establishing a new market for products and services leading to GH standard houses; it brings social benefits by improving the quality of life of house owners/occupiers and alleviating fuel poverty; and ultimately it produces significant environmental successes by saving carbon emissions.