USING REAP FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE LEEDS CITY REGION RSS HOUSING POLICY

The report uses the Resources and Energy Analysis Programme (REAP) to model 15 housing policy scenarios for the Leeds City Region between 2003 and 2026. It finds that a 'business as usual' approach based on the draft Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) would lead to an 8% increase in CO2 emissions from housing by 2026. Retrofitting existing housing stock is identified as the most effective single measure for reducing emissions, with potential net savings between 19% and 39% compared to the baseline. The most significant reductions are achieved through combined scenarios involving energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy targets, and increased demolition rates, which can save up to 43 mt of CO2.

• Under a "business as usual" scenario aligned with the draft Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS), carbon dioxide emissions from housing in the Leeds City Region are projected to increase by 8% by 2026 compared to 2003 levels.
• Retrofitting existing housing stock is the most critical policy for reducing CO2 emissions on both a per-household and long-term overall basis, offering potential net carbon savings of 19% to 39% over the business as usual scenario.
• Combined policy scenarios—integrating regulatory efficiency improvements, increased renewables, faster adoption of "Ecohomes excellent" standards, and retrofit measures—can achieve "Factor 2" energy reductions and save up to 43 mt of CO2 compared to the baseline.
• The "aspirational" combined scenario (E1) is projected to result in total carbon dioxide emissions from housing in 2026 that are 50% lower than in 2003, with emissions per household decreasing by 56%.
• In 2003, housing accounted for 23% of the total carbon dioxide emissions and 19% of the total Ecological Footprint attributed to the Leeds City Region.
• The report notes that while the draft RSS emphasizes climate change as a core strategic approach, the specific housing component of the RSS does not directly address climate change, global sustainability, or policies to reduce emissions and energy use.

APA

Frey, S., Paul, A., & Barrett, J. (n.d.). USING REAP FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE LEEDS CITY REGION RSS HOUSING POLICY. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Future/using_reap_environmental_assessment_leeds.pdf

Chicago

Frey, Sibylle, Alistair Paul, and John Barrett. USING REAP FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE LEEDS CITY REGION RSS HOUSING POLICY. Stockholm Environment Institute, n.d. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Future/using_reap_environmental_assessment_leeds.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Frey |first1=Sibylle |last2=Paul |first2=Alistair |last3=Barrett |first3=John |title=USING REAP FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE LEEDS CITY REGION RSS HOUSING POLICY |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |url=https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Future/using_reap_environmental_assessment_leeds.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{freyndusing, author = {Frey, Sibylle and Paul, Alistair and Barrett, John}, title = {{USING REAP FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE LEEDS CITY REGION RSS HOUSING POLICY}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, url = {https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/Future/using_reap_environmental_assessment_leeds.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }