29 Million UK Homes Need Upgrades: Why the Retrofit Revolution Needs More Green Skills

The UK faces a monumental task: 29 million homes need energy efficiency upgrades by 2050 to meet net zero targets. That’s nearly every home in the country, and the pace required to meet this goal is staggering.

This challenge is creating unprecedented demand for green skills across the built environment. From building design to energy assessment and carbon reporting, the need for a workforce equipped with sustainability expertise has never been greater.

At ESS Green Skills, we help businesses and professionals understand these demands and connect with the training, insight, and services needed to take action.

The Scale of the Challenge

The UK’s existing building stock is among the least energy-efficient in Europe. Upgrading it is no small task:

• 29 million homes require retrofitting before 2050
• That equates to 500,000 upgrades per year, or almost two every minute
• Most homes fall short of the government's target EPC rating of C or above
• The sector could generate up to 500,000 skilled jobs per year in response

This shift isn’t just about cutting carbon. It’s also about lowering energy bills, improving public health, and boosting local economies.

Driving Change Through Green Expertise

Supporting the retrofit revolution isn’t just about putting materials into walls, it’s about ensuring the right knowledge, assessments, and strategies are in place to make change possible at scale.

At ESS Green Skills, we support businesses, landlords, and professionals across the built environment with the insight and services they need to meet future standards today.

Whether you’re responding to Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), improving your commercial EPC rating, or exploring how to align with wider net zero targets, our expertise helps you move forward with confidence.

What We Offer

We work with organisations across the UK to:

✔️ Deliver non-domestic EPCs and compliance reports tailored to commercial buildings

✔️ Support landlords and asset managers preparing for regulatory changes

✔️ Provide practical guidance and content to help teams develop awareness of essential green skills

✔️ Share industry insight to help businesses stay informed and prepared for what’s ahead

Our goal is to help you understand your responsibilities, navigate complex regulations, and contribute meaningfully to a lower-carbon future.

"The homes of the future won’t be built from scratch, they’ll be transformed by those who understand the power of sustainable change."

The UK’s retrofit revolution is well underway, and the need for energy expertise has never been greater. From compliance and strategy to upskilling and awareness, we’re here to help organisations lead with confidence and act on sustainability goals.

Contact us to learn more about how we can support your business in building a greener, more resilient future.