With the
general consensus that we must act now if we are to avoid an irreversible
climate crisis, a game-changing Arena programme has been announced for
Futurebuild 2020 focused on transforming the industry to achieve a resilient
and truly sustainable environment.
The
three-day programme’s central theme is how we now respond to the climate and
ecological emergency facing us all. With discussions and debate led by
politicians, academics and industry shapers, the programme is a catalyst for
the change that is needed across the built environment.
High
profile speakers include Rory Stewart, London Mayoral Candidate; Roger
Harrabin, BBC Environment Analyst; Baroness Brown of Cambridge DBE FREng FRS,
Deputy Chair of the Committee on Climate Change, Clive Lewis, MP and Sir James
Wates.
The
programme opens on day one of the event (03 March) with a focus on ‘Putting the
planet first’. Chaired by Baroness Brown of
Cambridge DBE FREng FRS, Deputy Chair of the Committee on Climate Change, the
session will explore how the industry can tackle the ecological crisis and the
importance of a UK wide, cross-departmental and cross-sector approach
for shared governance for the environment.
Central to
the three-day programme is how design and construction needs a circular
rethink. With this in mind, ‘The future is regenerative’ session chaired by
Peter Murray, Chair of New London Architecture taking place on day one will
take a closer look into this and address how we can make our cities fit for
purpose, our buildings net zero and champion green retrofit.
Looking more broadly, the Arena programme will not
only highlight the built environment’s need to create an environmentally
responsible industry but a socially responsible one too. ‘The future is ethical
and inclusive’ session will look at how we tackle modern slavery and gender
imbalance in construction and how we support more ethical practice and
encourage young people to join the industry. The session will be chaired by Sir
James Wates, CBE, Chairman of the Wates Group.
Additionally, on the second day (04 March), Cristiana
Ciaraldi Jolivet of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development will
chair a session on Carbon neutral cities of the future’ session. From improving
mobility to urban greening, and combatting air pollution, the panel will
explore the pathway to healthier, more equitable and resilient cities. Within
the session, Rory Stewart, London Mayoral Candidate will host a session on
achieving carbon neutral cities to ensure that what we decide to do today has
benefits for future generations.
Policy and behavioural change are critical to
decarbonising the built environment and this will form a key part of discussion
across the Arena. ‘How to mandate change: legislation, regulations and
guidance’ on day two will explore current policy context and changes required
to achieve net zero. The UKGBC-led discussion will explore a range of
perspectives from industry leaders including Jorge Mendonça, Executive
Director, Grosvenor and Julie Godefroy, Sustainability Consultant and Technical
Manager, CIBSE.
On the third day (05 March), ‘Living and working
green: what behavioural changes are required to bring about a net-zero world?’
chaired by Roger Harrabin, BBC Environment Analyst will explore how designers,
builders, suppliers and visitors attending Futurebuild can drive this behaviour
change in policy and economics.
The second session ‘Let’s
hear it from young people’ offers a platform for young people to put forward
their proposals for living in a zero-carbon world. This session will hear from
representatives of the UK School Climate Network and the NUS Responsible
Futures Group to discuss our climate and ecological emergency action plans.
Martin Hurn, Event Director of
Futurebuild commented: “The responsibility for tackling the climate emergency
lies in all of our hands and we must collaborate in order to find solutions to
secure our future. The Arena programme at Futurebuild 2020 has been carefully
curated to facilitate thought-provoking discussion across the industry that
inspires tangible solutions as we embrace the biggest single challenge we’ve
ever faced as an industry – the climate and ecological emergency.
“The focus is on fostering this
positive collaboration, common understanding and commitment to drive change and
we want people to leave Futurebuild 2020 ready to make these changes or
improvements across their sphere of influence.”
For more information
about Futurebuild 2020, and to register for your complimentary ticket, visit: futurebuild.co.uk/visit
