Governing and governed by practices: Exploring interventions in low-carbon housing policy and practice

In this chapter we conceptualise low-carbon housing as an intervention in a system of interconnected practices, performed both by housing professionals and householders. This understanding distinctly contrast to commonly accepted approaches that rely on the simple introduction of low carbon materials and technologies to households. We analyse the low-carbon housing system using two UK case studies focused on contrasting building performance standards (Code for Sustainable Homes; Passivhaus standard). We argue that links, flows and relations within such a system need further exploration to better understand the governance of sustainability interventions.