Accelerating towards a Net Zero Built Environment

CIOB's conference Accelerating towards a Net Zero Built Environment takes place on 4 September 2024.

Join us for an enlightening journey into the world of sustainable construction at Accelerating towards a Net Zero Built Environment, where industry experts will gather to explore groundbreaking innovations and strategies reshaping the industry. This dynamic event is dedicated to unravelling the complexities of decarbonisation, including how we can address both embodied & operational carbon, the role of retrofitting to optimise efficiency and facilitate the life-extension of existing buildings, and the importance of low carbon new development because what we build today will shape our tomorrow.

Engage in enlightening conversations with thought leaders from across the industry, exploring circular economy principles and the disruptive technologies transforming the world of construction, discover how we can build value by decarbonising the built environment, and how we can prepare for an uncertain future. The conference serves as a stage to share insights, innovations, and collaborative solutions to pave the way for net zero by 2050.

This conference provides a central platform for collaborative dialogues surrounding sustainable development, and issues such as decarbonisation, the integration of digitalisation, and how we can build climate resilience into development. Get ready for an immersive experience where addressing the climate crisis converges with innovative solutions, shaping a future where sustainability is intrinsic to construction practices.

Agenda

09:00: Conference Open

09:10: Keynote Speaker

09:30: Building a Case for Change

We face a triple planetary crisis: Climate Change; Pollution; and Biodiversity loss Construction and the built environment is responsible for 40% of CO2 emissions; 33% of waste; and 50% of extracted material. Today, our industry is a big part of the problem. However, with the need for for sustainable buildings, renewable energy, the shift towards circularity and the quest for biodiversity net gain, we can and must, become part of the solution.10:00

10:20: Whole Life Carbon–The Importance of Addressing Operational and Embodied Carbon

Industry experts will discuss how to decrease operational and embodied carbon emissions, as part of a whole life approach, to reduce the impact of construction on the climate crisis. Touching upon themes such as circular economy principles and disruptive technologies that could transform the industry.11:20

11:55: The Role of Retrofit in Extending the Life of Existing Buildings

The discussion centres around the ambitious yet essential goal of achieving NetZero by 2050 and the relative contributions or reuse versus rebuild. The emphasis is on a collective effort to reduce carbon emissions, and one key strategy highlighted is retrofitting. This involves upgrading existing structures to be more energy efficient or facilitate reuse, extending the asset’s life.

13:40: Showcase:Climate Resilience; Adapting to Extreme Weather for Built Environment

With the increased impact of climate change on weather and the built environment, making sure we have robust plans in place to address these extreme weather events is critical to protection our people and building resilient businesses. The built environment is not unique in having to address these issues, in 2021 the Institution of Royal Engineers Sustainability Forum (a military think tank) was asked by the Construction Industry Council (CIC) to lead on their Planning for Emergency Response workstream. This presentation will review the work the InstRE’s and its partner EGS Consult has undertaken in creating a planning methodology, their tools and best practises developed over the last two years.

14:10: The Nature of Building: Biodiversity & the Built Environment

An introduction to the CIOB’s partner project with Content With Purpose to explore the relationship between construction and nature.14:25

14:45: The Twin Challenge of Climate and Nature

As we address the built environment’s role in climate change, we must not neglect its impact on nature and the ecological crisis that we also face, as these twin crises are deeply interconnected. Strategies considered include addressing site impacts on nature through biodiversity net gain, as well as the complex subject of embodied biodiversity impact.

15:45: Conference Close

Find out more and book tickets here: https://www.ciob.org/events/accelerating-towards-a-net-zero-built-environment-870906473707

--CIOB

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