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Creating net zero carbon homes for residents

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We are on a journey in Barnet to create net zero carbon homes for residents by 2042.



Delivering the highest standards of sustainable housing and buildings

The biggest priority for the council to meet net zero carbon by 2042 is in reducing building emissions, which accounts for roughly 60% of the borough’s carbon emissions.

Barnet will lead by example, by ensuring all housing stock is brought up to the highest sustainability standards; ensure new builds are designed to a high quality with a strong emphasis on sustainability; and design and retrofit new homes with Barnet residents in mind.


Our net zero commitments in housing

To meet the overarching net zero carbon commitments, available on our website, we will:

1. Increase the number of well insulated homes working towards the Friends of the Earth target of 100% by 2030.

2. Retrofit our Council Homes to an average of EPC-B by 2030, applying for all external funding opportunities.

3. Assist residents living in the private sector to make their homes more sustainable, prioritising those households most at risk to fuel poverty.

4. Ensure that future housing and infrastructure development is net zero by 2030.


Energy performance in homes

The average Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating for homes across the borough is between EPC Bands C and D, meaning that many buildings will require greater levels of insulation to reduce heat loss and cut energy usage. In the private rented sector, it is anticipated that new legislation will require properties to be EPC band C for all new tenancies from 2028.


Some of the things that residents are doing to make a difference at home:



What we are doing to make our residential homes more sustainable below:

1. Future proofing existing homes

Barnet has approximately 155,000 homes, and it is estimated that 80% of homes in use in 2050 have already been built.

We will provide support and guidance for landlords and homeowners to access grants to improve energy efficiency through retrofit. By installing retrofit measures, including loft and wall insulation, double glazing and floor insulation, 75% of homes have the potential to reach EPC Band C or above.

Through Government-funded schemes, including the Local Authority Delivery (LAD) Scheme and the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF), we are moving closer to achieving net zero homes across our existing housing stock.

In September 2022, we completed ‘fabric first’ retrofit and insulation to 24 properties across the Watling Estate, Burnt Oak, creating warmer homes and reducing energy demand, with LAD scheme funding.

In November, we also submitted a bid for £9m funding through SHDF. If successful in February 2023, this will enable the Council to deliver building fabric and some heating system improvements in up to 238 homes, which aims to support residents living in some of our worst performing homes.


2. New homes

We are currently preparing our new Local Plan, which once published, will set out how future growth across Barnet will be delivered, with the expectation that there will be up to 45,000 new homes built across the borough by 2036.

As part of this, and the Mayor of London’s London Plan, there are a number of policies around building sustainably and designing net zero homes adapting to our changing climate. Ahead of the Local Plan publication, and further national planning guidance and legislation, new homes are already being future proofed to achieve higher levels of energy efficiency and support the council’s journey towards net zero carbon.

Coppetts Road, being developed by Barnet Homes, is an example of this and will deliver up to 15 new affordable homes at London Affordable Rent levels, achieving a 49% reduction in carbon compared to previous building regulations.

The scheme features:

  • A fabric first approach - ensuring a very high level of thermal insulation and air tightness to walls, floors and roofs.
  • Highly efficient air source heat pumps to reduce energy usage for hot water
  • Solar photovoltaic panels and
  • Communal greenspace and tree planting to contribute to greening and biodiversity.

Our larger growth areas and regeneration estates, new housing developments are also being built to help us achieve net zero carbon.


Brent Cross Cricklewood, one of the largest regenerations projects in Europe, will deliver a new net zero carbon town by 2030 at the latest.

The £8bn Brent Cross Town development at the heart of Barnet Council’s regeneration programme will have an on-site energy centre and the largest air source heat pump installation in Europe, which will provide heating and hot water to the new park town using only renewable energy.

Key sustainable highlights of the scheme include:

  • The neighbourhood-wide district energy heat network is being created in partnership with Swedish power company Vattenfall, the leader in city-scale green energy infrastructure
  • It will provide low carbon heating and hot water to the 6,700 new homes, three million square feet of new office space and the new retail and leisure space being built at Brent Cross Town
  • 100% renewable energy for all energy supplies controlled by Brent Cross Town
  • Thoughtful design of energy-efficient buildings to reduce operational energy demand
  • A pedestrian and cyclist-friendly network of new low-speed streets, including 2.75km of new cycling routes
  • Across the development, sustainable construction principles, like reusing materials onsite rather than disposing and importing has saved an estimated 15,000 lorry journeys on the development
  • The new Brent Cross West Station is also under construction, led by Barnet Council and will provide the gateway to the Brent Cross Town.

Find out more on sustainability at Brent Cross Cricklewood here.


Practical steps you can take in your home to reduce carbon emissions

We have delivered a cost-of-living campaign to support households to save energy, by providing practical tips.

1. Energy Saving – how you can save on your energy bills

Around 21% of the UK’s carbon emissions come from our homes, as a result of energy to heat or cool properties, generate hot water, power appliances and devices. With energy costs increasing, find out what you can do to reduce your energy use and stay warm.

If you are a Barnet resident and need help with high energy bills, there are a number of support options for you:

2. Home retrofit – a long-term solution to cut down on your energy use is through retrofit to improving insulation and energy sources in your home:

Financial support is also available for residents to retrofit your home:

3. Consumption, waste and recycling - reducing your households emissions isn’t all about energy use

Prevent food waste and save money:

Reduce and Reuse

Recycling

4. Biodiversity and greening – If you have a garden there are many things you can do to make a difference.

If you don't have a garden, you can still take part in a community garden or apply for your own allotment - Garden Allotments in Barnet, north London | BAF (barnetallotments.org.uk)

Return to the BarNET ZERO homepage

We are on a journey in Barnet to create net zero carbon homes for residents by 2042.



Delivering the highest standards of sustainable housing and buildings

The biggest priority for the council to meet net zero carbon by 2042 is in reducing building emissions, which accounts for roughly 60% of the borough’s carbon emissions.

Barnet will lead by example, by ensuring all housing stock is brought up to the highest sustainability standards; ensure new builds are designed to a high quality with a strong emphasis on sustainability; and design and retrofit new homes with Barnet residents in mind.


Our net zero commitments in housing

To meet the overarching net zero carbon commitments, available on our website, we will:

1. Increase the number of well insulated homes working towards the Friends of the Earth target of 100% by 2030.

2. Retrofit our Council Homes to an average of EPC-B by 2030, applying for all external funding opportunities.

3. Assist residents living in the private sector to make their homes more sustainable, prioritising those households most at risk to fuel poverty.

4. Ensure that future housing and infrastructure development is net zero by 2030.


Energy performance in homes

The average Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating for homes across the borough is between EPC Bands C and D, meaning that many buildings will require greater levels of insulation to reduce heat loss and cut energy usage. In the private rented sector, it is anticipated that new legislation will require properties to be EPC band C for all new tenancies from 2028.


Some of the things that residents are doing to make a difference at home:



What we are doing to make our residential homes more sustainable below:

1. Future proofing existing homes

Barnet has approximately 155,000 homes, and it is estimated that 80% of homes in use in 2050 have already been built.

We will provide support and guidance for landlords and homeowners to access grants to improve energy efficiency through retrofit. By installing retrofit measures, including loft and wall insulation, double glazing and floor insulation, 75% of homes have the potential to reach EPC Band C or above.

Through Government-funded schemes, including the Local Authority Delivery (LAD) Scheme and the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF), we are moving closer to achieving net zero homes across our existing housing stock.

In September 2022, we completed ‘fabric first’ retrofit and insulation to 24 properties across the Watling Estate, Burnt Oak, creating warmer homes and reducing energy demand, with LAD scheme funding.

In November, we also submitted a bid for £9m funding through SHDF. If successful in February 2023, this will enable the Council to deliver building fabric and some heating system improvements in up to 238 homes, which aims to support residents living in some of our worst performing homes.


2. New homes

We are currently preparing our new Local Plan, which once published, will set out how future growth across Barnet will be delivered, with the expectation that there will be up to 45,000 new homes built across the borough by 2036.

As part of this, and the Mayor of London’s London Plan, there are a number of policies around building sustainably and designing net zero homes adapting to our changing climate. Ahead of the Local Plan publication, and further national planning guidance and legislation, new homes are already being future proofed to achieve higher levels of energy efficiency and support the council’s journey towards net zero carbon.

Coppetts Road, being developed by Barnet Homes, is an example of this and will deliver up to 15 new affordable homes at London Affordable Rent levels, achieving a 49% reduction in carbon compared to previous building regulations.

The scheme features:

  • A fabric first approach - ensuring a very high level of thermal insulation and air tightness to walls, floors and roofs.
  • Highly efficient air source heat pumps to reduce energy usage for hot water
  • Solar photovoltaic panels and
  • Communal greenspace and tree planting to contribute to greening and biodiversity.

Our larger growth areas and regeneration estates, new housing developments are also being built to help us achieve net zero carbon.


Brent Cross Cricklewood, one of the largest regenerations projects in Europe, will deliver a new net zero carbon town by 2030 at the latest.

The £8bn Brent Cross Town development at the heart of Barnet Council’s regeneration programme will have an on-site energy centre and the largest air source heat pump installation in Europe, which will provide heating and hot water to the new park town using only renewable energy.

Key sustainable highlights of the scheme include:

  • The neighbourhood-wide district energy heat network is being created in partnership with Swedish power company Vattenfall, the leader in city-scale green energy infrastructure
  • It will provide low carbon heating and hot water to the 6,700 new homes, three million square feet of new office space and the new retail and leisure space being built at Brent Cross Town
  • 100% renewable energy for all energy supplies controlled by Brent Cross Town
  • Thoughtful design of energy-efficient buildings to reduce operational energy demand
  • A pedestrian and cyclist-friendly network of new low-speed streets, including 2.75km of new cycling routes
  • Across the development, sustainable construction principles, like reusing materials onsite rather than disposing and importing has saved an estimated 15,000 lorry journeys on the development
  • The new Brent Cross West Station is also under construction, led by Barnet Council and will provide the gateway to the Brent Cross Town.

Find out more on sustainability at Brent Cross Cricklewood here.


Practical steps you can take in your home to reduce carbon emissions

We have delivered a cost-of-living campaign to support households to save energy, by providing practical tips.

1. Energy Saving – how you can save on your energy bills

Around 21% of the UK’s carbon emissions come from our homes, as a result of energy to heat or cool properties, generate hot water, power appliances and devices. With energy costs increasing, find out what you can do to reduce your energy use and stay warm.

If you are a Barnet resident and need help with high energy bills, there are a number of support options for you:

2. Home retrofit – a long-term solution to cut down on your energy use is through retrofit to improving insulation and energy sources in your home:

Financial support is also available for residents to retrofit your home:

3. Consumption, waste and recycling - reducing your households emissions isn’t all about energy use

Prevent food waste and save money:

Reduce and Reuse

Recycling

4. Biodiversity and greening – If you have a garden there are many things you can do to make a difference.

If you don't have a garden, you can still take part in a community garden or apply for your own allotment - Garden Allotments in Barnet, north London | BAF (barnetallotments.org.uk)

Return to the BarNET ZERO homepage

Page last updated: 10 Jan 2024, 02:30 PM