Factsheet: Occupant Engagement

How buildings are used, operated, and maintained has a significant impact on their energy efficiency and long-term resilience to climate change.

Achieving energy efficiency and sustainability objectives within historic buildings requires a nuanced approach that respects heritage values while fostering responsible environmental stewardship. Building owners and managers play a pivotal role in enabling and supporting occupants, staff, and visitors to adopt energy-saving behaviours and participate in sustainability initiatives.

The following guidance outlines key strategies for engagement across different stakeholder groups.

Leadership, Senior Management, Boards of Trustees

Focus: Strategic direction, investment, and policy support.

  • Invest in Climate Literacy Training across your organisation to raise awareness and understanding of environmental impacts, and how sustainable practices can be incorporated into the culture and mission of your organisation.
  • Develop a clear sustainability strategy and action plan identifying the ways in which your organisation can reduce environmental impacts associated with your activities, buildings and operations.
  • Set out how this will be measured and monitored over time. This might include:
    • Annual carbon footprint assessments.
    • Annual assessment of water use.
    • Biodiversity surveys.
    • Periodic review of the Sustainability Strategy, policies and procedures.
    • Staff surveys to gauge levels of environmental engagement and understanding, as well as to gather information on thermal comfort and operational challenges.
  • Identify key roles and responsibilities across all levels of the organisation related to meeting sustainability goals and targets.

Building Management & Facilities Teams

Focus: Maintenance and management of building fabric and services.

  • Undertake specialised training focused on heritage-appropriate energy management, and sustainable maintenance practices.
  • Develop and implement a robust inspection and maintenance strategy for the building fabric and services, with input from conservation specialists as required.
  • Invest in monitoring and control technologies for key building services such as smart metering and zonal controls to provide a more accurate understanding of energy and water use across the building.
  • Gather feedback from occupants on thermal comfort, air quality and control of service systems and review against energy data.
  • Contribute energy use data to annual carbon footprint and/or energy use assessments.
  • With operational teams, undertake waste management audits and develop strategies to minimise waste and promote recycling and reuse.

Operations Staff

Focus: Day-to-day occupancy and interaction with the building.

  • Undertake practical training programmes emphasising the role that operational staff can play in minimising energy inefficiency, waste generation and water use.
  • Establish clear guidance tools - including checklists and signage - to support energy-conscious behaviours in daily routines.
  • Recognise and incentivise staff contributions to sustainability through formal acknowledgment and internal communications.
  • Embed sustainability responsibilities within job descriptions and contractor agreements to ensure accountability.
  • Appoint a 'Green Steward' role or team to champion sustainable practices.

Visitors and the General Public

Focus: Education, awareness, and respectful use of the building.

  • Integrate interpretive content that highlights the relationship between heritage conservation and sustainability, to educate and inspire visitors.
  • Incorporate sustainability themes into public programmes, guided tours, and events to broaden awareness.
  • Use clear and context-sensitive environmental signage to guide visitor behaviour in energy conservation (e.g. reminders to close doors).
  • Deploy interactive exhibits or digital displays showcasing real-time environmental data and the impact of collective efforts.
  • Facilitate responsible visitor conduct by providing accessible waste sorting and recycling facilities.