The city of Bath, which is a world heritage site, hopes to show preserving heritage and tackling climate change are not mutually exclusive and could be used in other cities.

The guide, which was officially launched yesterday (July 4), aims to make Bath’s historic buildings more energy efficient.

The guidance, co-authored by Will Anderson, working as a researcher for the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) and Joanna Robinson, conservation officer at Bath Preservation Trust, offers a range of energy conservation measures appropriate for Bath’s traditional buildings.

The project grew from a recognition there are increasing pressures on the owners and managers of historic property to contribute towards climate change mitigation.

The City of Bath World Heritage Site is an historic landscape that is extremely vulnerable to change that could detract from its architectural character, authenticity, natural landscape and historic interest, and careful management is necessary.

Caroline Kay, Chief Executive of Bath Preservation Trust, said ‘This guidance represents a really important shared agenda for the conservation and environmental lobbies. It is a step forward for Bath house holders, and by extension for those in other historic cities ‘

CSE Chief Executive, Simon Roberts, added: “What goes for Bath, goes for other places, too. Finding a way to sympathetically adapt our older housing, and move beyond the energy efficiency standards of their Georgian and Victorian builders, lies at the heart of a viable domestic carbon reduction strategy.”

For more information visit the Bath Preservation Trust’s website.
Luke Walsh

Action inspires action. Stay ahead of the curve with sustainability and energy newsletters from edie

Subscribe