Building Retrofitting
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Provided by: Project Drawdown|Published on: January 8, 2024
Articles/Websites
Scientist Reviewed
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This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This resource is currently being revised by Project Drawdown but you can research many of the other solutions in detail on their new Drawdown Explorer page.
- This article examines the nature of building retrofitting, the specific measures that fit within building retrofitting, and the environmental and social benefits of increased building retrofitting.
- Students will learn that building retrofitting is building renovation with a focus on increasing energy efficiency, that increased building retrofitting will decrease carbon emissions and improve air quality, and other impacts of building retrofitting.

Subjects: Economics, Engineering
Authors: Project Drawdown
Region: Global
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This article gives a nuanced view of the financial aspects of building retrofitting.
- This solution is related to many other building-related solutions and would improve any lesson on increased efficiency.
Additional Prerequisites
- Under the article there is a "related solutions" section that will enrich your understanding of building retrofitting and other climate solutions.
- It may be helpful if students already understand the connection between building construction, energy use, and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Some students, including ELLs, may need some terms defined before they read the article.
Differentiation
- Students can read this article at home to prepare for an in-class discussion on energy use and efficiency within their own homes.
- This resource pairs well with the High-Efficiency Heat Pumps article or any articles detailing solutions that can be implemented as building retrofits.
- This article can support a lesson on the measures that are part of building retrofitting.
- Language arts students can write persuasive letters to building managers to convince them to implement energy-saving retrofits.
In this resource, readers will learn about building retrofitting and how it encompasses many climate solutions. The article does not detail the different solutions but mentions them. You can find the mentioned solutions on the website, and SubjectToClimate has reviewed many of them. This resource demonstrates how combating climate change can look different for everyone and can be addressed from many angles. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
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Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider

Project Drawdown
Project Drawdown is a nonprofit organization that seeks to help the world reach “drawdown”—the future point in time when levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere stop climbing and start to steadily decline. Cities, universities, corporations, philanthropies, policymakers, communities, educators, activists, and more turn to Project Drawdown as they look to advance effective climate action. Project Drawdown resources for educators include the database of Drawdown Solutions, educational video series Climate Solutions 101, the Drawdown Stories initiative, and more.
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →

