Retrofitting Existing Buildings

New green buildings matter, but the real impact lies in retrofitting existing structures. More than 80% of the buildings that will exist in 2050 are already standing, so new construction standards alone cannot solve building emissions.

Deep energy retrofits — upgrades to insulation, windows, heating, and lighting — can cut a building's energy use by 60-90%. European programs show that mass retrofitting is technically feasible and pays for itself through the energy it saves.

The Netherlands pioneered industrialized retrofitting, where factory-built insulated facades and rooftop solar are installed on existing homes in a single day. Standardizing the work lowers costs and keeps disruption to a minimum.