Solar Shading Design and Implementation in UK Housing as a Tool for Advancing Sustainable Development

This chapter aims to provide the reader with an understanding of how simple interventions such as solar shading can help in achieving both emission target reductions and accelerated progress toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Solar shading is a practical option for making exposed homes in the UK more resilient to the impacts of climate change. Solar shading for this purpose can be recognized as both an adaptation and mitigation measure for the United Kingdom (UK) construction industry. The importance of a resilient and sustainable home remains at the forefront of climate change discourse. With an increased scarcity of new affordable housing and a low rate of renewal, housing is still in high demand. Future housing demand and climate change impacts converge as a locus of interest for multiple agencies, authorities, and researchers interested in sustainable development solutions. Taking urgent action to address climate change impacts relating to homes is essential to both mitigate the global effects of carbon emissions and reduce the risk of overheating in homes. The built environment and all involved in the sector have a role to play in addressing these issues and finding suitable solutions. Solar shading does have a part to play, as this chapter will illustrate.