This page presents data, evidence, and solutions that are provided by our partners and members and should therefore not be attributed to UKGBC. While we showcase these solutions for inspiration, to build consensus, and create momentum for climate action, UKGBC does not offer commercial endorsement of individual solutions. If you would like to quote something from this page, or more information, please contact our Communications team at media@ukgbc.org.

The post Low-Carbon Roof Extensions to Existing Buildings appeared first on UKGBC.

UKGBC’s recent Materials Passports Guides provide an overview of materials passports and how they can be a tool to support greater circularity within the built environment. This guide’s also outline which stakeholder may need to be involved in the process and the different types of data which may want to be collected.

Building on the guides, this webinar will showcase tools and solutions to aid with collecting data over the building’s lifespan and the creation of materials passports. You should attend this webinar if you are involved with circular design and the tracking of materials over the life of built assets.

During the event, you’ll hear from the UKGBC team on the importance of the topic, after which there will be a series of quick-fire pitches from our Innovative Start-Up members and companies offering solutions in this space. UKGBC’s Solutions & Innovation team have been continuously profiling many of these in our Solutions Library.

UKGBC is therefore running this cross-team webinar to showcase some of the innovative solutions available to help built environment practitioners understand the tools available in this area.

UKGBC cancellation and refund policy

Please see our website for more details on our cancellations and refunds.

Advancing Net Zero Partners

Our Advancing Net Zero work is made possible thanks to our programme partners

The post Innovation Showcase – Materials Passports appeared first on UKGBC.

The table below includes information about many of the solutions in this area with information provided by the solution provider. Please click on the company names to see more information about each solution.

This page presents data, evidence, and solutions that are provided by our partners and members and should therefore not be attributed to UKGBC. While we showcase these solutions for inspiration, to build consensus, and create momentum for climate action, UKGBC does not offer commercial endorsement of individual solutions. If you would like to quote something from this page, or more information, please contact our Communications team at media@ukgbc.org.

The post Materials Passports Platforms appeared first on UKGBC.

Jo Wheeler Co-Head Policy and Places at UKGBC said:

UKGBC welcomes this consultation and proposal – we have long called for action to require landlords to achieve a minimum EPC C.

One in four renters are in fuel poverty so improving renters’ rights and introducing new minimum energy performance standards is an important justice, as well as climate issue for the Government to address. This regulation must be aligned with the proposed reforms to the current EPC system.

This proposal should form part of a wider national retrofit strategy with sufficient funding and comprehensive policies to coordinate action at the national and local level, and enable all householders to have homes that are warm, comfortable, and affordable to heat”

Policy and Advocacy

Since 2007, we have been bringing together some of the most influential leaders in politics, business, local authorities, civil service and NGOs to accelerate action for a green built environment.

Learn more

The post UKGBC responds to the Government’s minimum energy performance standards appeared first on UKGBC.

This page presents data, evidence, and solutions that are provided by our partners and members and should therefore not be attributed to UKGBC. While we showcase these solutions for inspiration, to build consensus, and create momentum for climate action, UKGBC does not offer commercial endorsement of individual solutions. If you would like to quote something from this page, or more information, please contact our Communications team at media@ukgbc.org.

The post Digital twin and building analytics platform appeared first on UKGBC.

Our annual Keystone Meeting will be hosted by RICS at Surveyors House in the heart of Westminster, on the afternoon of 19 March from 1-5pm.  This year’s event will focus on understanding and realising the UK Governments 7th carbon budget through industry action and policy.  We are looking forward to welcoming you. 

With over 100 guests invited, the afternoon will include a light lunch followed by a Keynote speech, a panel discussion, and a challenge for our members.  Speaker and Panellists will be announced shortly.  Please secure your place now to receive more information. 

All of the UK must meet net zero by 2050, in line with the target set out in legislation. In addition to the UK-wide target, Scotland has set its own and is aiming to become a net zero economy by 2045. 

The UK has also committed to a 68% reduction in emissions by 2030, as part of its Nationally Determined Contribution towards the Paris Agreement. 

Alongside these headline targets, the UK has set interim ‘carbon budgets’ which cap the emissions within different carbon budgetary periods. The current fourth carbon budget requires a 52% reduction in emissions by 2027, while the sixth carbon budget requires a 78% reduction by 2037. 

Between November 2024 and February 2025, the government needs to set a new Nationally Determined Contribution for 2035. Additionally, in 2025 the government is due to agree the seventh carbon budget, which will cover the period from 2038-2042. 

This is a Keystone Member Only event.  Each Keystone member is allocated three places and one of the places must be used by a Director/Executive Director if not the CEO of your organisation.  Tickets are limited and this is invitation only event, please secure your places today. 

UKGBC cancellation and refund policy

Please see our website for more details on our cancellations and refunds.

The post Annual Keystone Members Event   appeared first on UKGBC.

Our buildings are responsible for two types of emissions: operational and embodied. Operational carbon is the carbon emitted through the day-to-day activities of a building – whether that’s heating, cooling or ventilation, the running of key infrastructure like lifts or the powering of electronics and appliances. Simply put, operational carbon is what keeps a building’s lights on. 

Embodied carbon, on the other hand, is all the other carbon emitted by a building over its life cycle, including sourcing its materials, the construction process and, finally, demolition. This blog is going to focus on how we can reduce our operational emissions, but you can learn more about embodied carbon here.  

in 2018 71% of the UK built environment’s carbon footprint came from its operational emissions

Why do we need to reduce Operational Carbon and what are its main causes? 

As of 2018, according to UKGBC’s Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap, 71% of the UK built environment’s carbon footprint came from its operational emissions. Operating our offices, shops and other non-domestic buildings emitted 39.7 MtCO2e, with our homes having an even larger impact at 84.8 MtCO2e. To put these emissions in context, just operating the UK’s buildings puts as much carbon into the atmosphere as burning 288 million barrels of oil each year. The main causes of these emissions are: 

Fossil fuel heating in both homes and businesses

Fossil fuel driven electricity powering lights and appliances 

Inefficient buildings that leak valuable energy – particularly in winter. 

With a rapidly changing climate, we have a responsibility to reduce these emissions – and the good news is that the solutions are already out there. We just need to mobilise our industry and policymakers to roll-out at scale. 

Learn more about reducing reliance on fossil fuel powered electricity here.  

Reducing operational carbon in different building types 

Existing Homes  

We can reduce operational energy use in existing homes in three main ways:  

Insulation: The more efficient a building, the less energy it needs to keep warm and safe. We primarily improve a home’s efficiency through insulation in areas like: cavity walls, underfloor recesses and the roof. Additional efficiency measures like double glazed windows also help reduce precious heat leaching from a home, and reduce the energy needed to keep it warm. 

Switching to Electric Heating: 85% of UK homes use a gas-boiler for heating. Switching to an electricity powered heat pump is an opportunity for millions to move away from burning fossil fuels and drastically reduce their carbon footprint. 

Using Renewable Energy: Where possible, homes should seek to use renewable energy to power their electricity – whether that’s through renewable tariffs or on-site generation like roof-top solar panels.  

Learn more about retrofitting existing homes to be friendlier to the planet here.  

Existing Non-Domestic Buildings 

We can reduce operational energy use in existing non-domestic buildings by:  

Moving away from Fossil Fuel heating: As of 2018, 66% of commercial buildings’ emissions were from heating – by switching to electric systems non-domestic spaces can drastically reduce their impact on the environment.  

Introducing Building Performance Targets: Having targets for non-domestic buildings to improve their energy efficiency that include mandatory disclosure of their performance would galvanise action in this sector. Further building these targets into legal and commercial frameworks would raise the standard for buildings – ensuring all non-domestic buildings were having a limited impact on the environment.  

Embracing on-site Renewables: Many non-domestic developments such as warehouses, factories and shopping centers have large flat roofs that are ideal for solar PV.  

New Buildings 

We can reduce operational energy use in new buildings by:  

Putting energy efficiency first: All new buildings should be built with their energy performance in mind, ensuring that they are built as efficiently as possible to reduce future carbon emissions. This doesn’t just mean designing a home to keep it warm, but also designing it to keep it cool – so that extra energy won’t be needed for air conditioning in the future. 

Prioritising electricity: Of course, this means designing with a heat pump from the start and building solar panels into the roof, but it can also mean building in smart features that automatically save electricity. 

Learn more about standards for building new homes with low carbon emissions here.

What is industry already doing? 

Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard 

Launched in late 2024, the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard aims to create a robust, universal standard for all building types that allows industry to prove their projects are net zero and in line with the UK’s climate targets. As part of this standard, limits are set for the operational energy use in buildings and targets for on-site renewable energy generation. These limits are encouraging asset designers, builders and owners to considerably reduce their operational energy use in order to meet Net Zero.  

What is UKGBC doing about Operational Carbon?  

Our team has long been working on projects related to helping industry reduce operational carbon emissions in both new and existing buildings. Some key activities include:  

Renewable Energy Procurement: This work stream gives asset owners clear guidance on how to procure renewable energy and gives guidance on how to reimagine energy use and a flexible grid as we shift towards on-site generation and away from fossil fuels. Learn more here. 

Retrofit: Reducing energy use in existing homes through energy efficiency improvements has been a long-term aim for UKGBC. We work with both national and local policy makers to implement programmes that lead to the retrofit of homes to keep them safe, warm and cheap to run. In fact, home retrofit is a great example of climate friendly fixes – like reducing operational carbon – having positive social, health and financial benefits too. Learn more here.  

Operational Optimisation Labs: Throughout 2024 and 2025, UKGBC has been working to understand how optimising commercial buildings can reduce operational carbon emissions. Optimising a building, as opposed to undertaking a deep retrofit, is unobtrusive and can still lead to considerable carbon reductions without a building being taken out of us. The final outcome of this project will be launched in the spring, and you can find out more about the project and its supporters here.  

Advancing Net Zero

Created in 2018 as part of a World Green Building Council initiative, UKGBC’s Advancing Net Zero programme has a mission to lead the UK’s transition to a net zero built environment. It has produced leading guidance such as the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework and the Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap, whilst working with organisations and experts across the industry.

View more

The post What is Operational Carbon in buildings?   appeared first on UKGBC.

FutureBuild brings together around 15k professionals committed to sustainability, innovation, and collaboration in the built environment – architect, engineer, contractor, policy makers – and offers insights, cutting-edge products, and networking opportunities to support sustainability goals. 

In partnership with: Mitsubishi Electric UK, Interface and Chetwoods Architects, we are returning to Futurebuild with our award winning stand, where you can learn more about our work, and our network.  As part of the 3-day event,  we are participating in two main stage events, and leading on three panel discussion as well as hosting a materials workshop on stand. See below for our full activity calendar.

Day 1 – Tuesday 4th March

12:00-12:45 How the circular economy and degrowth can avoid catastrophic tipping points

We have known about ‘limits to growth’ since at least 1972. We know that society’s use of materials for all purposes has increased from 7 billion tons in 1900 to 92 billion tons in 2017, and this is just not sustainable. We can recycle as much as we can but if we keep trying to grow GDP no matter the environmental and social costs, we risk missing our climate targets and triggering catastrophic tipping points. We then try to put a price on nature that doesn’t prohibit growth. Thinking ‘circular’ goes beyond waste and influences every decision that we make particularly for those working in the built environment. Time for an honest conversation about where we should be in 12 months? By 2030? by 2035?

Chair: Smith Mordak, UKGBC

Panel: Dr David Greenfield, SOENECS; Elwyn Grainger-Jones, Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute; Teresa Domenech, University College London

Day 2 – Wednesday 5th March 

13:30-14:15 How resilient is the UK built environment to climate impacts?

A session around the UKGBC Climate Resilience Roadmap, with a sneak peek at the roadmap content looking at how resilient and vulnerable the UK built environment is to climate impacts, including results of the Roadmap research as well as key insights.  We will explore ‘where should we be in 12 months / 2030 / 2035’ as we will tease the actions and recommendations. 

Chairs: Hannah Giddings, UKGBC; Macarena Cardenas, UKGBC

Panel: Ashely Bateson, Hoare Lea; Christine Cambrook, Buro Happold; Anna Oxenham, Mace

Location: Buildings Impact Stage

14:30-15:20 Material Matters Workshop delivered by Chetwoods Architects (UKGBC Stand)

Chetwoods Architects dive into all things sustainability when it comes to materials, including embodied carbon, health and wellbeing, and the circular economy. Information and exploration of a range of exciting material samples for an interactive session where you can challenge yourself to pick out the more sustainable material options, and identify the red herrings.

16:15-17:00 The Futurebuild Conversation – Achieving our low carbon future? Why aren’t we there yet? 

As we transition to our low carbon future we find ourselves at a pivotal moment as it is only 25 years to 2050 when we need to get to the legally binding target of reducing carbon emissions to net zero. So what are the opportunities and the barriers?Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning are major consumers of energy in any building and the HVAC equipment that is designed and installed over the next 5 years is likely to still be in use in 2050. That means that the decisions we all make now on both new-build, and more importantly retrofit must align with those net zero goals if clients are to avoid ending up with stranded assets.  Yet the technology that can help on the road to net zero already exists.

Chair: Dr Anastasia Mylona, Technical Director, CIBSE

Panel: Yetunde Abdul, UKGBC; Steff Wright, Gusto Group; Chris Newman, Mitsubishi Electric

Location: Futurebuild Arena

Day 3: Thursday 6th March

10:30-11:15 What is a ‘Regenerative Place’? and how do we get there? 

The word ‘Regenerative’ is being used with increasing frequency across industry, with a growing number of perspectives on what it the concept means. There is less understanding so far, of how it translates into practice and especially how we retrofit our homes and urban spaces to bring the vision into reality for UK communities.  The session will focus on Improving biodiversity and green space; offering health and social value benefits, strengthening climate resilience 

Chaired by: Joanne Wheeler, UKGBC; Anna Hollyman, UKGBC

Panel: Miles Lewis, Clarion Housing Group; Carl Walker, Hoare Lea

Location: Placemaking Impact Stage

13:30-14:15 Towards a nature-positive built environment 

A reflection on the built environment’s role in the global transition to a nature positive future. This session will outline our current understanding of what nature positive entails and focus specifically on addressing embodied ecological impacts from materials. It will showcase best practice examples and key principles to make a difference. 

Chair: Kai Liebetanz, UKGBC

Panel: Aaron Grainger, Buro Happold; Julia Baker, Mott Macdonald; Becky Gordon, Interface 

Deep Dive into Supply Chain Decarbonisation

UKGBC will be showcasing Supply Chain Decarbonisation on our stand at Futurebuild, in a series of five sessions. We will be sharing details of our work to date including the aim, scope, plans, activity to date and our desired outcomes from this workstream. UKGBC programme leads will be heading this event, with support from Partners and Task Group members in attendance.

In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to contribute to our testing of initial ideas for action, shaping our developing plans for future work. Whilst also learning how, as stakeholders in the built environment, you can get more involved in helping to drive progress.

The Deep Dive event will take place during the following time periods:
Tuesday 4 March 11:00-12:00, 14:00-15:00
Wednesday 5 March 11:00-12:00, 14:00-15:00
Thursday 6 March 11:00-12:00

The post UKGBC at Futurebuild 2025 appeared first on UKGBC.

Smith Mordak, chief executive officer at the UK Green Building Council, said:

President Trump pulling the US out the Paris Agreement is as heart-breaking as it is unsurprising. Not only is this a blow to international co-operation around our civilization’s greatest collective challenge, but a preposterous betrayal of his own citizens currently suffering the terrifying wildfires in California. My resolve to collaborate with climate action colleagues around the world is stronger than ever and UKGBC remains committed to collaborating for action on the climate and nature crises with our colleagues around the world.”

Policy & Advocacy

Since 2007, we have been bringing together some of the most influential leaders in politics, business, local authorities, civil service and NGOs to accelerate action for a green built environment.

Learn more

The post UKGBC reacts to Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement appeared first on UKGBC.

UKGBC’s recent Embodied Carbon modelling and reporting project aims to improve the transparency and consistency of embodied carbon assessment.  

Building on the report, this webinar will showcase tools and solutions to aid with designing low-embodied carbon buildings and undertake whole life carbon assessments. You should attend this webinar if you are involved with low embodied carbon design and the measurement of whole life carbon of built assets.  

During the event, you’ll hear from the UKGBC team on the importance of the topic, after which there will be a series of quick-fire pitches from our Innovative Start-Up members and companies offering solutions in this space. UKGBC’s Solutions & Innovation team have been continuously profiling many of these in our Solutions Library. 

UKGBC is therefore running this cross-team webinar to showcase some of the innovative solutions available to help built environment practitioners understand the tools available in this area.  

UKGBC cancellation and refund policy

Please see our website for more details on our cancellations and refunds.

Advancing Net Zero Partners

Our Advancing Net Zero work is made possible thanks to our programme partners

The post Innovation Showcase – Embodied Carbon calculation tools   appeared first on UKGBC.