The Glasgow City Region (GCR) Home Energy Retrofit programme was identified as a first phase programme in the Region’s Economic Strategy. It aims to make homes in the Region warmer, more energy efficient, and to reduce carbon emissions by accelerating the installation of energy efficiency measures and clean heat systems (retrofitting). Retrofitting Glasgow City Region’s homes is central to meeting our national and local net zero carbon emissions targets, and will help to tackle fuel poverty, provide greater energy security, lower household energy bills, and will create a significant number of jobs.
Nearly half of the Region’s 886,000 homes fall below the recommended energy performance standards (Energy Performance Certificate C) and require retrofitting to improve efficiency and reduce emissions.
An independent feasibility study commissioned by GCR’s eight member authorities shows that uplifting these 428,000 domestic properties to EPC C is projected to cost around £10.7 billion. Retrofitting all 886,000 properties to a standard closer to net zero – beyond the minimum standard of EPC C – would require investment in excess of £20 billion.
In 2025, the Region published a Home Retrofit Strategy and Action Plan which builds on extensive research and a detailed feasibility study to set out the scale of the challenge and a series of practical actions, including:
- Maximising the benefit of existing retrofit funding.
- Addressing maintenance and disrepair.
- Improving access to finance and funding pathways.
- Improving the customer journey – to make retrofit activity more attractive to homeowners and landlords.
- Using data and digital platforms to support better decision-making.
Glasgow City Region is working with the member authorities to engage with the Scottish Government and with key retrofit organisations to take forward the Action Plan and the five focus areas set out above.