Decarbonising the Residential Estate: A Case Study by Sarah Butler

In September 2024, our Divisional Director, Sarah Butler, presented a compelling case study at the ACES National Conference, focusing on the decarbonisation of residential estates. The presentation, titled "Decarbonising the Residential Estate: A Case Study," highlighted the strategies and challenges involved in achieving net zero targets, with a specific focus on Manchester City Council.


Below is a summary of this presentation. If you want to learn more about our decarbonisation offering, please contact us.

Key Highlights:

Strategic Planning and Community Engagement: Sarah emphasised the importance of strategic planning, funding, and community engagement in achieving net zero targets and improving residents' quality of life. For example, in this project, the decarbonisation strategy was integrated with the existing capital programme to make the best use of existing budgets.

Challenges and Solutions: The presentation outlined significant challenges, including limited grant funding, high retrofit costs, and the need for estate rationalisation post-COVID. Sarah discussed innovative solutions such as:

• Funding Strategies: Utilising Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and Community Bonds to raise funds for decarbonisation projects.
• Cost Management: Implementing a "spend to save" strategy, which demonstrated the financial benefits and long-term savings of decarbonisation investments. For instance, the installation of Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) showed significant net savings with grant support.
• Asset Understanding: Conducting detailed site surveys and using GIS analysis to map housing archetypes and overlay socio-economic data, which helped in targeting investments effectively.

Sarah asked AI to consider what would happen if local government doesn’t meet its Net Zero targets, here is the result:

"Imagine a town where local authorities have not met net zero targets. Public buildings, homes, and businesses continue to rely on outdated, inefficient heating systems. Energy bills rise, air quality worsens, and the town faces frequent power outages. Property values decline, and the local economy suffers as new businesses and residents choose more sustainable areas. Vulnerable communities are hit hardest, struggling with higher costs and health issues related to poor air quality."

The presentation provided valuable insights into the complexities of decarbonising residential estates and highlighted the importance of strategic planning, community engagement, and innovative solutions.