LatamHaus: sustainable, healthy and affordable homes

Mexico’s housing demand is estimated at 26,000,000 by 2030. It needs to address the low-carbon strategy set by the National Strategy developed from the NAMA for sustainable housing in partnership with the Passivhaus Institute. However, there are some challenges associated with household air pollution. The project seeks to collect pilot data and establish a network to support future external funding applications. We have been working with the Latin American Passivhaus Institute (ILAPH) and agreed on the following:Aim: to co-design a proof-of-concept for healthy and low-carbon homes generating pilot data and a network for applying to externally funded research projects. Objective 1: evaluate the Passivhaus residential design impact on household air quality and low-carbon emissions in Mexico to collect pilot data.Objective 2: Establish the LatamHaus network to develop capacity building for Passivhaus projects in Mexico, focusing on low-carbon homes and household air pollution in order to develop a robust research collaboration record for future funding. On achieving those aims, this project has the capacity to positively impact the following the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 and 9:This project addresses an underrepresented topic, clean air, in the UKRI GCRF worldwide portfolio. Since health and housing quality are linked, this project focuses on SDG 3—Health & wellbeing—pursuing Target 3.9, and the Indicator 3.9.1—Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution. In 2019, ~48,500 deaths were attributed to air pollution in Mexico; those to household air pollution were ~10,000, surpassing the 1,746 annual mean in Latin America. By looking at the housing industry innovation (Passivhaus) to minimise low-carbon emissions to improve energy-efficient design, construction & use, this project addresses the most underperformed (Index: 25.1/100) SDG in Latin America: the SGD 9—Industry, innovation and infrastructure. We seek to ensure access to affordable housing and basic services (Target 9.4), balancing the CO₂ emissions and added value (Indicator 9.4.1). Mexico is among the 15th largest CO₂ emitters, and its housing industry contributes ~30% of the national CO₂ emissions.