The UK has lost a decade of progress on home energy efficiency. But we’re not here to dwell on the past – we’re here to help fix it.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Committee’s latest report lays it out clearly: we’re now operating at just 2% of the level of energy efficiency measures compared to where we were heading in 2010. That’s a staggering 98% drop in progress – and it’s a key reason the UK is now off-track in its mission to reach net zero.
MP Bill Esterson described it as a “disastrous lost decade for clean, secure energy,” especially in relation to the failure to decarbonise and reduce the cost of home heating.
At The Retrofit Academy, we don’t just see this as a warning – we see it as a call to action. Every home upgraded, every professional trained, and every standard raised brings us closer to the future we urgently need.
What the Report Says
Published in May 2025, the Committee’s report calls for practical, urgent steps to rebuild trust in the retrofit mission – for households, investors, and the supply chain.
Among the Committee’s key recommendations are:
- A National Warm Homes Advice Service
- Reform of EPCs to better reflect carbon impact
- A national accreditation scheme to ensure quality
- Fewer, more consistent support schemes to offer long-term certainty
- A rebalancing of policy costs between electricity and gas
We’re proud to say that The Retrofit Academy is already playing a central role in delivering many of these goals.
What The Retrofit Academy is Doing About It
1. We’re building a national standard of retrofit training
With government-backed, Ofqual-recognised qualifications and quality-assured pathways, we’ve already trained over 8,000 learners across the country – turning interest into expertise across roles like Retrofit Advisors, Assessors, Coordinators, Designers, and Installers. Our commitment is to train thousands more, working hand-in-hand with local authorities, training providers, and employers.
2. We ensure quality and accountability
In partnership with Sterling Accreditation, we’re helping shape a trusted, capable retrofit workforce. Our learners don’t just receive a certificate – they leave accredited and equipped to deliver work to the highest standard under the PAS 2035 framework.
3. We support consistent, long-term workforce development
By creating skills partnerships with both national government and regional and combined authorities, we’re helping to fund and deliver retrofit training that is strategically aligned to local needs. Through collaboration with education providers across the UK, we are aiming to build a stable, future-ready workforce and to avoid the short-term, boom-and-bust cycles that have previously held the sector back.
4. We drive household impact and affordability
Energy-efficient homes lower bills, reduce carbon emissions, and improve everyday living conditions. Our vision is world where every home is warm, healthy and low carbon. By creating a qualified workforce capable of delivering retrofit at scale, we are helping to break the cycle of the heating versus eating crisis.
5. We’re future-proofing the retrofit conversation
Whether the future involves electric heating, hydrogen, or repurposed gas networks, we believe retrofit must be adaptable by design. That’s why we don’t just train for today – we prepare professionals for the evolving landscape of net zero.
Our Commitment to Continuous Learning
We know the pace of change is fast – so we’ve built the tools to keep learners and professionals ahead of the curve:
- The Retrofit Academy Membership Hub: A growing, centralised online space packed with exclusive content, discussion forums, updates, and CPD.
- Our Training Courses: Updated regularly to reflect changes to policy, funding, and practice – including evolving PAS 2035 requirements.
- PAS 2035 Explained and Process Compliance Maps: Our updated free guides breaking down the latest complexities of compliance and Process Compliance Maps to help practitioners understand how to deliver best practice in real-world projects.
Whether you’re brand new to retrofit or a seasoned professional, our ecosystem is built to support you – not just at enrolment, but throughout your career and into the future.
Our Take: Retrofit Is the Solution We Can’t Afford to Ignore
As MP Bill Esterson said, “Time really is money – and money that many households simply can’t afford to waste.”
Retrofit isn’t just a tool to cut emissions. It’s a powerful lever for economic resilience, social justice, and energy security. The report from the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee is a stark wake-up call, but also a timely reminder of what’s at stake.
The Retrofit Academy is ready to meet this moment – with action, skill, and scale.
Want to Be Part of the Solution?
Whether you’re:
- A local authority or social housing provider ready to scale retrofit
- An organisation looking to upskill your workforce
- An individual seeking a meaningful career
We can help.
Explore our courses, join our membership, or partner with us to deliver retrofit at scale.
Let’s move from 98% behind to leading the race to the top in retrofit.
Read the full report from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Committee:
Warm Homes: Retrofit Failures Pushing UK Off Track
