Critical success factors for unlocking the blueprint for passive retrofitting of residential buildings

Residential buildings significantly contribute to carbon emissions because of high energy use. As rising global temperatures become an increasingly time-sensitive issue to address, passive retrofitting has emerged as one of the pathways to reducing buildings’ carbon footprint. However, this approach is less frequently implemented in developing countries. This study used a mixed-methods approach to investigate the critical success factors for the decision to implement passive retrofitting of residential buildings in Lagos State, Nigeria. Quantitative data were gathered using questionnaires administered to 118 property managers and 163 homeowners and analysed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). In addition, qualitative data collected using semi-structured interviews with six officials from building regulation agencies were analysed using thematic analysis. The EFA results produced five distinct factor dimensions: project planning and risk management, financial support and stakeholder engagement, resource management and communication, professional expertise and knowledge management, and regulatory compliance and expert involvement. All these dimensions explained 58.78% of the total variance. The qualitative results highlighted five major themes: financial considerations and incentive mechanisms, public awareness and stakeholder engagement, capacity building, policy framework and regulatory enforcement, and adaptation to local context. This study highlights the importance of developing intervention strategies tailored to specific stakeholders. It also emphasises the role of financial incentives, capacity building, and culturally appropriate engagement methods, particularly in settings where resources are limited.