Embed circular economy thinking into building retrofit

Buildings retrofits improve energy efficiency and are an essential component of global decarbonisation plans. However, whilst many retrofit techniques will reduce energy demand in the near future, their longevity is rarely considered. This risks a legacy of waste with high recurring embodied carbon, and buildings that cannot be easily further upgraded in decades to come. To avoid this, engineers, architects, designers and builders must start now to embed a circular economic (CE) approach into building retrofit.