PhD Studentship: Techno-behavioural Pathways for Net-zero Housing Retrofits (NZ-housing)

Decarbonising the building sector is vital for net-zero targets. In 2022, buildings produced around one-third of global energy-related CO₂ emissions—26% from operations and 7% from construction-related embodied emissions (IEA, 2023). Among which, residential buildings generated nearly 60% of the sector’s operational emissions, highlighting the importance of housing decarbonisation in climate mitigation (IEA, 2023).

Technological retrofitting, like installing heat pumps and insulation, is key for reducing energy use and CO2 emissions. Its effectiveness depends on occupant behaviours, such as heating, ventilation, and appliance use, which need behavioural interventions like feedback and education. These behaviours influence how retrofits are adopted and maintained, causing performance gaps, rebound effects, or synergies (Ekim, Mattsson and Bernardo, 2023; Massié and Belaïd, 2024). Capturing such interactions is crucial for designing effective retrofits.

Assessing housing decarbonisation potential requires detailed emissions accounting for retrofit and operational phases (Shibata, Sierra and Hagras, 2023). Retrofit involves materials like heat pumps, insulation, and ventilation, which generate embodied emissions. Post-retrofit emissions depend on energy system transitions (e.g., grid decarbonisation, and socio-economic factors including population growth and housing evolution (Mastrucci et al., 2021; van Heerden et al., 2025). A robust assessment requires a life-cycle perspective linked to future energy and socio-economic scenarios.

Two major gaps are identified. First, most studies assess technological and behavioural interventions separately or quantify their combined effects without analysing interactions with occupant behaviour. Second, existing retrofit life‑cycle assessments examine single measures under static conditions, lacking a system-level view and integration with future energy and socio-economic scenarios. Considering these scenarios is crucial because, amid global climate change and the net-zero transition, energy production and use will shift significantly, impacting housing emissions. Additionally, demographic changes like population decline will affect housing demand and occupancy, influencing the sector's long-term decarbonisation.

This project will address these gaps by evaluating technological and behavioural interventions and their interactions with occupant behaviour using a framework integrating life-cycle assessment and future scenario modelling, applied to the UK case study. Achieving net-zero by 2050 will require about £250 billion in housing retrofits, offering transferable insights for other regions. The work will expand globally to assess broader implications.

For further information on this project and details of how to apply, please click on the 'Apply' button above.

Further information on how to apply for a CENTA studentship can be found on the CENTA website: https://centa.ac.uk/apply/

Funding notes:

This project is offered through the CENTA3 DLA, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Funding covers: annual stipend, tuition fees (at home-fee level), Research Training Support Grant.

Academic requirements: at least a 2:1 at UK BSc level or a pass at UK MSc level or equivalent.

International students are eligible for studentships to a maximum of 30% of the cohort. Funding does not cover any additional costs relating to moving or residing in the UK. International applicants must fulfil the University of Birmingham’s international student entry requirements, including English language. Further information: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/pgt/requirements-pgt/international/index.aspx.

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