Anticipating the Unintended Consequences of the Decarbonisation of the Historic Built Environment in the UK

Abstract The historic built environment in the UK is expected to contribute to the national commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050. The related major changes in policies and regulations inevitably are leading to unintended consequences which need to be accounted for. This paper reviews the unintended consequences of decarbonisation policies for the historic built environment in the UK, as reported in the literature. The review highlights some unintended consequences that certain carbon-reduction-driven building interventions could have for the fabric of historic buildings. The review also reports on concerns that other building interventions — for example, the installation of renewable micro-generation energy sources — can negatively and significantly impact the aesthetics and significance of historic buildings. Finally, the review also shows that there is little anticipation of the consequences of decarbonisation policies for the conservation of collections, occupants’ health, comfort, and behaviour, and wider society in general.

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