Reusing the construction products that arise from refurbishment or demolition offers multiple benefits, such as reduced embodied carbon through the displacement of new products and materials. It also supports self-sufficiency in a sector that imports a significant quantity of materials and products, with added advantages of reducing impacts of material extraction globally, preventing loss of biodiversity and waste emissions. However, despite there being a reuse potential for a typical building of anything from 10% - 80% (by weight), the reality for most projects is closer to less than 1%. This session will explore the evolving landscape of drivers in the UK and Europe – from new regulation, standards and planning regimes to the use of new digital technologies to drive reuse and the practical implementation of reuse onsite. It will show how collaboration, innovation and demonstration are starting to change the reuse and circularity landscape, but set a challenge to the industry to do more. Chairperson Katherine Adams, Director - Reusefully Speakers James Adams, Director - Maconda Asif Din, Sustainability Director - Perkins + Will Lora Brill, Head of Sustainability - Buildings - Ramboll

The transition to a circular economy in construction is gaining momentum, but how do we turn ambition into reality? This session explores the process behind material reuse – how it works, what data is needed, and how risk is managed. With insights from industry pioneers, we will unpack the key challenges around passporting materials, transparency, and the role of insurance in facilitating transactions. Our expert panel will discuss the barriers and opportunities in tracking and verifying materials, ensuring trust in reused products, and mitigating perceived risks. We’ll explore how new digital tools, data-driven decision-making, and innovative insurance models are helping to de-risk material exchanges and support a more circular approach. The session will also highlight real-world examples of collaboration across the supply chain – bringing together clients, contractors, and technology platforms to make reuse work at scale. Attendees will gain practical insights into the evolving circular economy landscape, hearing firsthand about the challenges faced and the solutions emerging to embed reuse as a standard practice in the built environment. Chairperson Steve Gilchrist, New Business Development - Excess Materials Exchange Speakers Nitesh Magdani, Head of UK - Excess Materials Exchange Leandra Hope, Senior Project Manager - Grosvenor Property UK Tom Seath, Sustainability Manager - John F Hunt Ltd

Building a resilient and sustainable construction supply chain is essential for the UK’s economic security and long-term infrastructure goals. However, ensuring that this resilience does not come at the expense of workers, communities, and vulnerable groups is crucial for a just and equitable transition. What are the strategies and frameworks needed to create a construction supply chain that leaves no one behind, while addressing the challenges of sustainability, skills development, and inclusivity in the industry? The session will delve into key case studies, best practices, and policy initiatives that show  how creating a resilient, fair, and future-proof construction sector can drive both economic growth and social justice. Chairperson Richard Bull, Deputy Dean - Nottingham Trent University Speakers Jenni Anderson, CEO - The Talent Foundry Giuliana Huerta-Mercado, Senior Policy and Projects Officer - GREATER LONDON AUTHORITY Chris Clarke, Strategy & Performance Director - Arc Partnership

What are the options for commercial buildings not captured in heat networks? Changing the source of heat can be an extremely challenging process for businesses. In this session we explore the opportunities for some of the biggest emitters to overcome the barriers: Market readiness: How the supply chain is developing  How to move businesses over to heatpumps How government is supporting businesses to enable change What’s the state of play in skills for installation and maintenance   Chairperson Johanna Jarvinen, Snr Sustainability Consultant for Business Development - Symetri Europe Speakers Rosie Sullivan, Head of Commercial Building Clean Heat Policy - Dept for Energy Security & Net Zero Bronwyn Enright, Buildings Decarbonisation Skills Strategy - Dept for Energy Security & Net Zero Joanna Priest, Senior Building Surveyor - GPE

Thirty High sets an example for the retrofit of office buildings found in city centre locations across the UK and further afield. By retaining the primary structure and core and refurbishing the existing facades, the team have sought to maximise the building's energy efficiency, achieving a target operational energy use that is comparable to that of modern commercial buildings Targeting WELL Core Platinum, Thirty High will provide the amenity space desired by modern office occupiers. The design team have aimed at achieving maximum performance improvement with minimum embodied energy emissions by retaining and upgrading the facade and improving airtightness with the project on track to achieve  BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and NABERS 5*. This 60-year old building demonstrates that revitalising an existing asset can deliver top-quality space at a fraction of the carbon emissions of new build. Chairperson Ross Boulton, Sustainability Lead - Buro Happold Speakers Gregor Haran, Sustainability Manager - Landsec Kirsty Bruce, Sustainability & Physics Engineer - Buro Happold Adrian Lindsay, Associate - Buckley Gray Yeoman

The growth of the UK's research and innovation sector continues to be a key contributor to the economy. Increased investment in life sciences real estate has led to a growing pipeline of speculative laboratories under construction in cities like London, Cambridge, and Oxford. As these projects come to market, the ability to attract occupiers by achieving the right fit for the space becomes crucial. One avenue for meaningful differentiation is understanding what decarbonisation efforts in laboratories mean for the lab occupier and users' operations.  In this panel, Oxford Properties, The Institute of Cancer Research, 3PM and GXN will debate how science occupiers move towards net zero. You will hear directly from scientists about how building owners can support behaviours that contribute to credible decarbonisation pathways. The panel is part of the Transforming To Zero initiative, which has engaged with key players in the UK science ecosystem through interviews, workshops, and ongoing conversations since 2022.  Chairperson James Buckley Walker, Partner - 3PM Speakers Emma Downey, Director - Oxford Properties Kåre Stokholm Poulsgaard, Partner - GXN Lisa O'Fee, Sustainability Advisor - The Institute of Cancer Research

There are many innovative low-carbon concretes in development but, even when they are proven in laboratory or small-scale trials, the investment to develop the supply chain remains complex and uncertain. The Advance Market Commitment (AMC) for low-carbon concrete and cement products intends to overcome these barriers by being explicit about the quantity and price of the next generation of low-carbon concretes that the property and construction sectors would be willing to procure over a number of years. This demand-side commitment can be used to seek investment to rapidly scale the development and production of innovative concretes to meet the demand.  In this session we hear from Innovate UK and the companies working together to develop the AMC and how this might help unlock investment to accelerate decarbonisation of construction.  Chairperson Katie Whipp, Chief Business Officer - Re:sustain Speakers Paul Astle, Decarbonisation Lead - Ramboll Buildings Pippa Horton, Investment Technology Specialist - L&G Asset Management Ceire Kenny, Sustainable Futures Manager - Lendlease Sarah Tennison, Head of Clean Growth Strategy & impact - Innovate UK

There are a growing number of low and lower carbon concretes available on the market, with the potential for cutting the embodied carbon of new development. This session explores new product development and initiatives to help facilitate their specification and use at scale. An expert panel from across the design, construction and supply chain will present discuss examples, projects, technologies and experiences including: Collaboration and trials to study and share performance for placing the concrete, striking times and finishes of in situ, post-tensioned and precast concrete structure. Use of remote digital sensors for real time data collection on site. Expanding the availability of local low carbon resources for manufacture through new labs and testing facilities SISK’s Demonstrator Project at Wembley Park Development aiming to accelerate the commercial viability of low carbon cement Chairperson Emily Halliwell, Senior Structural Engineer - MPA The Concrete Centre Speakers Maria Estrada, Project Manager - SISK Cassandre Legalliard, Product Manager - Holcim UK David Hughes, Chief Scientific Officer - Material Evolution

Meaningful participation involves engaging local communities, workers, and stakeholders in decision-making processes, ensuring their voices are heard in shaping policies and investments. This participatory approach enhances social equity and strengthens the long-term sustainability plans by aligning them with local priorities.  Place-based impact investing directs financial resources towards local initiatives that foster sustainable development, create jobs, and support community resilience. By investing in purposeful projects that are rooted in the unique needs and potential of specific regions, this approach ensures that the communities are empowered to fully participate in change.  What are the ingredients for success that will future proof your investments? Chairperson Louise Townsend, Social Value and Just Transition Mentor - Wood Knowledge Wales Speakers Mark Hall, Senior Programme Manager - Impact Investing Institute Melissa Lockett, Senior Investment Manager - Legal & General Capital

Timber-framed housing: Growing sector Large housebuilders are partnering with or investing in timber frame manufacturing capacity to develop their own supply chain. With larger numbers of timber-framed houses being built in England than ever before our expert panel will explore what we can expect to see in the sector: How quickly can we expect the proportion of timber-framed houses in England to increase? What parts of the supply chain will need to grow and develop to keep up with the pace? What are the technical drivers for the growth in timber-framed houses? How quickly are we seeing the technology and specification developing? Chairperson Paul Newman, Technical Director - Structural Timber Association Speakers Lewis Taylor, Principal Technical Specialist - NHBC Robin Dodyk, Head of MMC - CALA Anna Slatcher, Senior Sustainability Manager - Barratt Redrow

Designed by Sir Denys Lasdun and completed in 1983, the IBM Building is a bold presence in the buzzing cultural playground of the South Bank. Developer Stanhope is sensitively refurbishing and extending this Grade II listed Brutalist treasure to update it for contemporary office occupiers and give it a longterm,  energy-efficient future. Retaining 80% of the original structure’s concrete has minimised the CO2 emissions generated by the retrofit works. Fabric improvements and improvements to services will reduce operational energy consumption by 50%. Targeting BREEAM outstanding, EPC A rating and a NABERS 5 star rating will bring the building right up to date without compromising its status as a key Listed building in the historic Southbank composition. Speakers Nick Jarman, Senior Development Director - Stanhope PLC Ella Smith, Building Performance Analyst - Allford Hall Monaghan Morris Cameron McGeoch, Sustainability Engineer - Multiplex Andrew Middlebrook, Associate Director - Heyne Tillett Steel

Circular Economy in practice is about sequentially looking at what to retain, reuse on site, reuse within a portfolio or reuse elsewhere through trade partners, together with close collaboration between deconstruction and construction contractor and clients. Circularity requires a collaborative, can-do attitude supported by technology built around the industry’s workflows.  General Demolition have been pioneering reuse at many sites, and using the Material Index platform have facilitated precise deconstruction and efficient storage methods, helping clients to meet their reuse targets. The team have also conducted deconstruction time trials, providing valuable cost-benefit insights to support informed decision-making. British Land has been working with technology providers and sustainability focussed contractors such as Cast, implementing end-to-end reuse practices spanning from audits and material passports, to transferring material both internally and to the wider reclaim industry.  Join our expert panel who will take you step-by-step through the process and show how digitisation allows parties to manage the process of deconstruction and onward material management leading to much higher levels of reuse. Chairperson Rob Smith, Managing Director - Material Index Speakers Roseanna Hart, Group ESG Lead - Cast Group Emily Samoluk, Senior Sustainability Manager - British Land George Stainton, Managing Director - General Demolition

The UK’s non-domestic building stock is responsible for 23% of operational carbon emissions, posing a significant challenge to net zero targets. Energy efficiency in commercial buildings is essential, with optimisation being a key step before broader retrofits. To support the industry, UKGBC has collaborated with leading experts to share their insights, to encourage and support optimisation actions across the industry.  The program has reviewed strategies such as data collection & analysis, understandings set points, stakeholder behaviour and engagement, technology solutions and many more. By examining and discussing learnings, this session will present real insights into sustainable building operations, reducing energy use, and driving positive impact. Chairperson Ranjeet Bhalerao, Co-Founder - MapMortar Speakers Alex Benstead, Senior Advisor - UKGBC Laurie McKelvie, Head of ICL Operations - IES Ltd. John Pirouet, Associate Director - Hoare Lea

Pierre Bidaud of the Stonemasonry Company will discuss how new ways of thinking aligned to new technologies are changing the way we build in stone. From augmented stone, to using stone structurally, stone is set to play an increasingly important part in building a low carbon future.  Amin Taha’s Groupwork have designed a 10-storey block of flats in Finchley Road, north London, built with load-bearing larvikite stone from Lundhs quarry in Norway. Taha describes the project as 'the first 10-storey, loadbearing self-finished stone structure without steel reinforcement/secondary structure since the last stone cathedrals'. The Norwegian larvikite stone requires significantly less extraction, transportation, and on-site erection compared to typical concrete construction methods, resulting in reduced costs and lower embodied carbon. Chairperson Vanessa Norwood, Consultant for the built environment - Vanessa Norwood Speakers Pierre Bidaud, Creative Director - The Stonemasonry Company Amin Taha, Architect & Chairman - GROUPWORK Benjamin Ayling, UK Business Development Manager - Lundhs Eleonora Regni, Associate - Webb Yates

The integration of a just transition into public procurement is a crucial step toward achieving both environmental sustainability and social equity. This session will present how Newham Council is embedding just transition principles into its procurement processes, with insights from Dan Hill of Dark Matter Labs on the role of design and innovation in this transformation. Newham Council has made significant strides in aligning its procurement policies with these principles, prioritising social value, equity, and sustainability in its purchasing decisions. How is the council is using procurement to drive positive outcomes, creating green jobs and supporting local businesses? How can evolving systems help public authorities to rethink procurement, addressing environmental targets but also social justice? What are the challenges and opportunities in embedding a just transition into public procurement? What are the actionable insights for local authorities and organisations committed to making a fairer, green economy? Chairperson Chris Clarke, Strategy & Performance Director - Arc Partnership Speakers Jacob Heitland, Director of Climate Action - London Bourough of Newham Dan Hill - Dark Matter Labs Rebecca Chan, Senior Climate Consultant - ARUP

When we’re thinking about emissions in the construction sector, it’s important to address not just what you build, but also how you build it. The drive towards emission-free sites is delivering operational efficiency across the industry, while simultaneously reducing air and noise pollution on construction sites. At 25 Baker Street, a mixed-use development for Derwent London, a combination of diesel elimination, lower carbon plant and smart site management reduced site emissions by >80% versus baseline. The client, plant and construction team will discuss key technologies such as: Flybrid flywheels – used on tower cranes, this innovative technology is adapted from F1, using a flywheel to store energy during “low” periods to use later, reducing fuel use by up to 50%. Electric plant was used on site, eliminating the risk of fuel spills, reducing noise and air pollution. The potential for electric tools and innovative battery storage to reduce fuel use. The use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) in place of diesel, delivering >90% reduction in emissions. The panel will discuss the benefits as well as the challenges, and go on to consider how this market may evolve further. Speakers Rossella Nicolin, Head of Sustainability– Europe - Laing O’Rourke Samantha Carlsson, Senior Sustainability Manager - Derwent London Steve Bradby, Technical and Engineering Leader - Select Plant Hire

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards are intended to require incremental improvements to building fabric and services installations in leased accommodation. In preparing revised proposals the team at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero have taken a wide variety of views into consideration. In this session the team will present a review of the objectives of MEES and what they are intended to achieve feedback on the findings of the consultation and how stakeholders continue to shape the proposals what will take place next to enable the regulation to be determined Niall Gibson, Head of Sales – EMEA Region - IES Speakers Nicolas Perin, Head of Decarbonisation, Commercial Buildings - Dept for Energy Security & Net Zero Antoni Michael, Non-domestic Energy Efficiency Policy - Dept for Energy Security & Net Zero

Flexible workspace is an effective solution for growing businesses as their needs evolve, but frequent tenant turnover can lead to increased construction waste. The koba @ 100 Barbirolli Square team tackled this challenge directly by pioneering sustainable, circular materials, ensuring business growth aligns with environmental priorities. Circularity was embedded at every stage, from establishing the organisation's strategy through to completion. This approach has resulted in a high-quality space showcasing circular solutions, all documented in a material passport. Consultants Drees & Sommer will explain why circularity was viewed as a crucial component of the business proposition. Cast Interiors will describe how they delivered the circularity objectives outlined in the brief, while circularity platform Madaster will demonstrate how materials passports can both evidence the circularity of selected products and help achieve embodied carbon KPIs. Chairperson Andrea Charlson, Managing Director - Madaster UK Speakers Marc Klus, Managing Director - CAST CONTRACTS Simon Joe Portal, Head of Engineering & Sustainability – UK - Drees & Sommer Paul Nellist, Managing Director - Koba

Join us for an insightful panel discussion where experts will explore how they are translating net zero carbon and retrofit ambitions into actionable roadmaps--and linking these to green economic growth opportunities. This event will review exciting recent cases in regional efforts to upscale the pace of delivery of retrofit, net zero and local green skills investments. Building partnerships, funding and momentum: Our panellists will share valuable recent experience on building and keeping momentum for net zero, discussing partnerships and working across stakeholder groups, addressing the funding gap, and articulating local economic opportunities of net zero delivery. Chairperson Mike Bentham, Associate Sustainability Consultant - Rider Levett Bucknall Speakers Peter Hayakawa, Associate Sustainability Consultant - RLB Bevan Jones, Director - Bevan Jones Richard Winter, Climate Change Officer - Bolsover District Council Maria Dutton, Consumer Finance Lead - Green Finance Institute

CLT buildings up to 18m offer many benefits to developers and end users with extremely low embodied carbon. What factors affect successful outcomes so developers and occupiers to take advantage of these opportunities. This expert panel includes manufacturer, insurer, fire engineer and client and explores: early engagement with contractor addressing information exchange with the insurance broker factors which will allow a more straightforward approach to fire design protection from moisture ingress Helen Sears, Development Associate - Simten Developments James Walker, Innovation Director - Milner Associates Scott Tucker, Senior Vice President - Marsh Giulia Faggionato, Design Director - KLH UK Patrick Usborne, Founding Director - Perpendicular Architecture