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The Resources and Energy Analysis Programme (REAP) is a software tool developed by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) to track the environmental consequences of economic activity by analyzing consumption patterns across various spatial scales. It calculates ecological, carbon, and greenhouse gas footprints by combining consumption data with production impacts throughout the supply chain. In the UK, REAP has been applied in over 50 projects, including evaluating regional strategies and creating footprint reduction roadmaps. The tool emphasizes a lifecycle approach, highlighting that consumption-based emissions can exceed production-based emissions due to trade balances, as seen in the UK and Sweden.

The report identifies that the Leeds City Region must reduce housing-related CO2e emissions by 38 million tonnes by 2026 to align with national 2050 targets. The most impactful measure is the major retrofit of existing homes, which could provide 53.2% of the required reduction. Other essential measures include behavioural change (22%), low and zero carbon technologies (12.4%), and stricter new build standards (9%). The study concludes that a combination of these measures, supplemented by either external wall insulation, additional LZC installations, or selective demolition and rebuild of inefficient properties, is necessary to meet the target.

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.