SKArating is a sustainability assessment methodology that measures the environmental impact of commercial fit-outs and refurbishments. The methodology integrates good practice performance into daily project delivery, and moves the whole interior fit-out industry forward in a synchronised way. The approach provides a consistent system of measurement and benchmarking against good industry practice. SKArating was originally established in 2008, and has been undergoing a quiet metamorphosis - with new ownership, updated schemes and new offerings in the pipeline. The proposed changes are intended to reshape sustainability in the interior fit-out world to respond to an increasingly climate-aware fit-out industry with alignment to Net Zero, to be inclusive of full life-cycle thinking that delivers against client needs and to expand the sectors and countries that SKArating can be used in.  This panel discussion includes clients, designers, board members, who use SKArating for a broad, honest and honest discussion, of the need and potential for such ratings in the interior fit-out industry. Chairperson Elina Grigoriou, Design and Sustainability Director - Grigoriou Interiors Speakers Frank Blande, Senior Sustainability Lead - Great Portland Estates Brad Hickman, Operations Director - DMG Workplace Alicia Freire, Co-Founder - Twin & Earth Lee Tilbury, Department General Manager, Facilities Management Department - Sumitomo Corporation Europe Limited

Data centres have seen a massive growth since Covid and in recognition of their importance to economic development have been classified as critical infrastructure by the government. Data centres are involved in almost every human activity and interaction. Located in urban settings, typically in industrial areas, they need access to good fibre networks. On most urban sites this means compact multi-storey buildings, to maximise density and make the business case for the developer client.  Data centres are also moving away from being an energy greedy neighbours and are poised to become net energy exporters to anticipated heat networks. A data centre can heat thousands of homes and their vertical forms can be a site for urban greening and the delivery of BNG.  Our expert panel will reveal the opportunities presented by data centres. As this type of building proliferates how do we develop data centres to take advantage from their integration into our cities?   Chairperson Steve McIntyre, Principal Environmental Consultant - Viritopia Speakers Alex Soto, Head of Sustainability - studio NWA Martin Wright, Chief Architect - Pure Data Centres Group Sam Grady, Director of Strategy - A Healthier Earth Jack Williamson, Associate Architect - Scott Brownrigg

The UK built environment has a high proportion of buildings on the verge of becoming stranded assets as environmental targets tighten. The scale of the challenge to upgrade buildings of this type is huge. How can a project balance both a retrofit led investment and deliver the potential for increased rental values? At 300 Gray’s Inn Road the team have embedded carbon analysis whilst interrogating different options to provide the client with detailed guidance, facilitating an accurate design-making process and a route map to an environmentally and commercially viable scheme. Jack Penford Baker, Associate - Haptic - Architects Samuel Boswell, Building LCA - One Click LCA Willien Irvia, Associate - Exigere Emma Galvin, Senior Architect - Haptic - Architects

The Principles for Responsible Timber Construction set out a clear, ambitious, and achievable framework to build trust, align policies, and drive investment in sustainable timber construction — for the future of both forests and cities. This framework not only advances environmental goals but also ensures that the transition to sustainable construction is equitable and inclusive, embodying core tenets of a just transition by showing how the shift to low-carbon building also promotes social equity, fair livelihoods, Indigenous rights, and long-term environmental stewardship. Since COP28, Built by Nature has collaborated with the Forest and Climate Leaders Partnership (FCLP), Bauhaus Earth, and other key partners to develop and refine these Principles. They have already been reviewed by governments, industry leaders, and NGOs, with initial feedback showing strong support. The Principles are now shaping the criteria for a new international buildings Prize. This panel will explore the Principles in more detail, examining how the industry can help apply them in real-world projects, and how broader endorsement can drive a just transition across the buildings value chain. Chairperson Anna Lisa McSweeney, UK Networks Lead - Built by Nature Speakers Joe Jack Williams, Head of Sustainability - Bywater Properties Dan Daley, Clean Construction and Just Transition - C40 Cities Heidi Kagiali, Forestry & Conservation Manager - PEFC

The UK has some of the highest use of flame retardants, many of which are toxic to health, in the world. Many of these chemicals show up in building materials that you are specifying today. Some manufacturers are taking steps to design out toxic chemicals of concern, but how do you find identify and specify building materials that fundamentally protect, restore, and enhance the health of humans and highly functioning ecosystem?    Learn about projects leading this market transformation and how to create opportunities for immediate, meaningful actions as we cover:  The enormity of the problem of pervasive chemicals and the impact to human health and wellness  The programs and processes available to verify healthy materials  How to set out key intervention points in the design and construction process to optimise for health outcomes Improve your own materials palette based on the resources and case studies shared  Chairperson Colleen Large, Healthy Sustainable Materials - Brightworks Sustainability Speakers Asif Din, Sustainability Director - Perkins + Will Leila Diana Behjat, Director - Healthy Materials Lab Martijn Horsman, Sustainable Development Manager - Redevco

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