About the course and course dates

This course runs every other month throughout the year. You’ll be part of a cohort of people from across industry taking the course at the same time; you’ll have opportunities to discuss the concepts raised in the course with your peers.

Alongside discussion and other activities, the UKGBC team will be on hand to support your learning and answer any questions.  

What does the course cover?  

Through your four weeks of learning, you’ll work through the following modules:  

Module 1: Context. In this module, you’ll be welcomed into the course and begin the learning journey by exploring why sustainability in the built environment is so critical for the future, and the role that the built environment plays in either exacerbating or mitigating climate change and broader sustainability issues. 

Module 2: Concepts. In this module, you’ll explore five key concepts of sustainability in the built environment and different building typologies including: Climate Change; Resource Use; Nature & Biodiversity; Social Value; and Health & Wellbeing. 

Module 3: Cases. In this module, you’ll delve into a variety of case studies and also be given the opportunity to develop and share one of your own. 

Module 4: Change: This is where you’ll take action! You’ll investigate the unique role that you can play in influencing the sustainability of the built environment around them. You’ll also be asked to make commitment to push your single most impactful action forward. 

Who is the course for? 

This course is designed for anyone working in the built environment and construction sectors who wants to develop their sustainability knowledge and skills.  

You may already be working in the built environment and looking to upskill in the field of sustainability, or you may have knowledge of sustainability and want to apply this to the context of the built environment. If you have limited knowledge of both buildings and sustainability and want to learn more about sustainable design and delivery, this course will give you a solid introduction 

CPD hours: 16 

Tickets 

Member tickets are £50 
Non-member tickets are: £200 
Keystone members are entitled to free places for this course. Please contact learning@UKGBC.org for more information. 
If you’re unsure if your organisation is a member, please check our Membership Directory.   

Do you want to enrol a whole team?  

UKGBC can offer this course to closed cohorts, running at a time of your convenience – please get in touch with our learning team to get more information: learning@UKGBC.org.  

Cancellation and refund policy 

Please see our website for more details on our cancellations and refunds: https://ukgbc.org/ukgbc-cancellation-and-refund-policy/ 

Biodiversity and Environmental Net Gain Project Partners

Our work on Biodiversity Net Gain and Environmental Gain is generously supported by the following organisations.

The post An Introduction to Sustainability in the Built Environment (online) appeared first on UKGBC.

About the course

This self-directed online course runs every other month throughout the year. The course is a combination of reading, self-led activities, quizzes and discussion.  You’ll be part of a cohort of people from across industry taking the course at the same time; you’ll have opportunities to discuss the concepts raised in the course with your peers.  

Alongside discussion and other activities, the UKGBC team will be on hand to support your learning and answer any questions.

What does the course cover?  
Through your four weeks of learning, you’ll work through the following modules:  

Module 1: Context. In this module, you’ll be welcomed into the course and begin the learning journey by exploring why sustainability in the built environment is so critical for the future, and the role that the built environment plays in either exacerbating or mitigating climate change and broader sustainability issues. 

Module 2: Concepts. In this module, you’ll explore five key concepts of sustainability in the built environment and different building typologies including: Climate Change; Resource Use; Nature & Biodiversity; Social Value; and Health & Wellbeing.

Module 3: Cases. In this module, you’ll delve into a variety of case studies and also be given the opportunity to develop and share one of your own.

Module 4: Change: This is where you’ll take action! You’ll investigate the unique role that you can play in influencing the sustainability of the built environment around them. You’ll also be asked to make commitment to push your single most impactful action forward. 

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone working in the built environment and construction sectors who wants to develop their sustainability knowledge and skills.  
You may already be working in the built environment and be looking to upskill in the field of sustainability, or you may have knowledge of sustainability and want to apply this to the context of the built environment. If you have limited knowledge of both buildings and sustainability and want to learn more about sustainable design and delivery, this course will give you a solid introduction.

CPD hours: 16 

Tickets

Member tickets are £150 
Non-member tickets are: £300 
Keystone members are entitled to 15% off this course. Please contact learning@UKGBC.org for more information. 
If you’re unsure if your organisation is a member, please check our Membership Directory.

Do you want to enrol a whole team? 

UKGBC can offer this course to closed cohorts, running at a time of your convenience – please get in touch with our learning team to get more information: learning@UKGBC.org.  

Cancellation and refund policy 

Please see our website for more details on our cancellations and refunds: https://ukgbc.org/ukgbc-cancellation-and-refund-policy/ 

The post An Introduction to Sustainability in the Built Environment (on-demand) appeared first on UKGBC.

It’s largely accepted that COP16 in Colombia fell short of what was needed. While there were some breakthroughs, such as on indigenous representation or genetic resources, it ended without significant progress on key issues like mobilising finance. The Global Biodiversity Framework Fund has secured just short of $400m in pledges from governments, woefully short of the COP15 target of $20bn per year.  

Luckily, COPs are not the only forum we have to drive change: political progress also happens outside of them. We have seen huge momentum within business, the private sector, and the built environment. Here at UKGBC, we have contributed to that momentum for several years now, with a quickly evolving line of work on nature and resource use. In September 2023, we launched our knowledge hub on Embodied Ecological Impacts to create awareness about the indirect ways the built environment affects biodiversity and ecosystems elsewhere, away from construction sites.  

On 5th November, UKGBC convened the conference “Conversations on Embodied Ecological Impacts” to meet people and expand our networks, share learnings, and ask questions. Over the day, 100 attendees discussed how to integrate EEI in projects and the role of metrics and data, as well as insights from other sectors. Here are some key takeaways from the day:

Figure out what matters

Understanding our impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems is a challenging but crucially necessary task. Understand your organisation’s relationship with nature, such as your dependencies and impacts (known as double materiality). Tools such as the Encore database provide a good starting point, and TNFD and SBTN offer valuable guidance for your first steps.  

Action over data

Metrics and data have taken centre stage in nature and biodiversity conversations, and rapid progress in that area is needed. But the most impactful thing we can do right now is act on what we know already. If you figured out what your organisations relationship with nature is, this should give you plenty to work with. Do you rely on large quantities of material being mined? Start there: minimise the need for virgin material to avoid the associated negative ecological impacts. In other words, use less stuff, apply the mitigation hierarchy, adopt a circular economy, and prioritise refurbishment and reuse. You don’t need biodiversity data for that.  

Engage with your supply chain

Compared to other sectors, the built environment’s supply chains are severely lacking in transparency, making targeted action to eliminate negative ecological impacts at the source an incredibly tricky task.  

Most of us don’t know where the aggregates in our concrete come from, whether the sand has been quarried on land or dredged at sea, or whether the iron ore for the steel has come from the Amazon or Australia, let alone what the local implications are for ecosystems. We need to start asking questions and sharing information and progress. Acknowledging the complexity of the task, starting with one material, and understanding the supply chain are good first steps.  

Other sectors, like fashion and agriculture, are ahead of the curve on transparency. What could we learn from them? What would the equivalent of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition look like in the built environment? What can we learn from food and agriculture’s farm-to-table approach when it comes to supply chain traceability?

Our EEI conference was rooted in enabling a level of honesty and openness in all conversations, because admitting our knowledge gaps is what allows us to move forward in the right direction.

If you are interested in collaborating with UKGBC on this workstream, please reach out to us. We’re eager to hear from your experience and learn from your best practice examples. Let’s keep up the momentum together.  

Embodied Ecological Impacts

The impact of the materials we use in our built environment is not limited to carbon emissions. This knowledge hub explores the global ecological impacts of the building materials we use in the UK, and how to avoid harm and maximise nature-positivity.

View more

The post What’s next for Embodied Ecological Impacts? appeared first on UKGBC.

The good news is that much of the damage is unnecessary, and the alternatives would make our economy more efficient and offer the new Labour Government a new way to solve the affordable housing crisis. 

In the debates about house building, little attention is paid to the industry’s heavy reliance on extracting materials from biodiverse regions. Globally, we extract some 100 billion tonnes of raw material out of the fabric of the planet per year – equivalent to destroying two-thirds of the mass of Mount Everest every 12 months. Worldwide, the built environment sector is responsible for as much as 30 per cent of biodiversity loss. Unsustainable mining, quarrying, and logging for timber, metals, and stone are cutting swathes through pristine rainforests, polluting watercourses, and driving untold habitat loss. All while releasing vast amounts of ‘embodied’ carbon emissions. The impact on countless communities worldwide is devastating. 

The impact on UK inflation has been damaging too. The cost of imported construction materials has soared in recent years. Yet at the same time, construction and demolition waste now makes up almost two-thirds of all UK waste.   

Time is short. The Government’s targets for new homes and new infrastructure, mean the strain on nature will only escalate unless it takes urgent action to both address the amount and the way materials are extracted from other countries. 

Two solutions are on offer – tried and tested by some of the most advanced parts of the industry. But they need government action to be adopted at scale. 

Firstly, prioritise renovating and re-purposing existing buildings over demolition. Our hollowed-out high streets are dotted with vacant offices and shuttered shops. Many are places that could be transformed into affordable, high-quality, healthy ‘new’ homes. The numbers are big. In 2023, over 10,000 shops closed, office vacancy rates reached 8%, and more than 250,000 houses in England remain long-term vacant. 

Adopting a re-use first approach could help alleviate the affordable housing crisis, create tens of thousands of good skilled jobs and breathe new life into communities across the country. It would also reduce the need for costly new roads, transport, electricity, water and sewage infrastructure to service urban sprawl. 

Secondly, Environment Secretary Steve Reed is right to have put a ‘zero waste economy’ at the heart of his plans for DEFRA. Pioneering parts of the industry have already worked out how to re-use steel and many other materials, putting a ‘circular economy’ approach at the centre of their thinking. But we lack a national strategy so that every company treats used materials as valuable resources on a finite planet, not as disposable waste.  

The next step is to mandate more use of recycled, reused, and low-impact materials, while also requiring sustainable sourcing to prevent the destruction of habitats and human rights around the world. Such measures would not only reduce the need for raw material extraction, but turbocharge innovation within the industry, driving more efficient technology and practices. 

Both of these approaches can be fast-tracked if Labour takes a smart approach to its Planning and Regeneration Bill, expected in 2025. 

In Opposition, Labour voted repeatedly to align the planning system with the Climate Change Act. This was championed by green groups, because it would mean every single planning decision would help with our climate mitigation and adaptation goals. And it was backed by over 100 industry firms because it would make decisions more consistent, predictable and less likely to be bogged down with challenges. But Labour was defeated. Now it’s in government, with a huge majority, it can put pen to paper to write this into law.  

At the same time, it could adopt the proposals tabled by the House of Lords to extend that approach to the Environment Act. This would mean planning permission would only be granted if proposals were in line with local and national nature restoration strategies, including international commitments.  

As we assess the failure of COP16 in Colombia, we should all be alarmed by experts warning that humanity is on the verge of ‘shattering Earth’s natural limits’. We have run out of time for business as usual.

Voluntary measures and market-driven approaches have shown some of what’s possible, but they are just not enough. To protect biodiversity on a meaningful scale, we need a clear national plan and regulations to drive industry action. And that requires bold government leadership.

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 Construction is driving global biodiversity loss – it’s time for Government to act  appeared first on UKGBC.

Alongside the climate crisis, we face an ecological crisis in which biodiversity in the UK is under severe and urgent threat. With 50% of the UK’s economy linked to nature and the UK one of the most biodiversity depleted countries in the world, restoring our natural environments is critical to building our future green economy. This masterclass will help you understand and begin to implement the new Biodiversity Net Gain requirements set out in the Government’s Environment Act. There are huge opportunities for the built environment to restore nature and build more regenerative towns and cities – this masterclass will support you to do that.  

About the course

This half-day masterclass will deep dive into Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in the built environment. Focusing on the legislation and policy context in England, this course will help delegates understand the drivers behind BNG and how to achieve and surpass the mandated minimum 10% biodiversity uplift in new project.  
The course will cover the need for biodiversity recovery in general across England, contextualised against the climate and biodiversity crises. We’ll look at the principles and basics of BNG – what is BNG? Why does it matter? How is it measured? 
We’ll move on to explore the regulatory drivers for BNG with a focus on translating the Environment Act, 2021 and covering how a number of major local authorities apply the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and their own policies on BNG. Finally, we’ll cover the process of BNG from start to finish, picking up the practical steps needed within planning and construction, including how to design for BNG through green infrastructure design. 

The course will be interactive and discursive, giving you a chance to discuss BNG issues with colleagues from across the UKGBC membership, and our subject-matter expert.  

Who’s it for?
This masterclass is for developers, planners, architects, landscape architects, and any other planning/environmental professionals who need to know more about BNG within planning in England.

Course hosts Morgan Taylor, Director, Greengage. Morgan leads Greengages nature team, providing ecological and green infrastructure design input into projects enabling biodiversity net gains and complementing wider climate change adaptation measures. He provides clear and concise advice on how to manage ecology throughout planning and development. Morgan was included in the ENDS Report Power List 2023 of the most influential environmental professionals in the UK. 
Greengage is an independent sustainability consultancy with offices in London, Manchester, Sheffield, and Bristol. Established for over 17 years, we’re an award-winning team of consultants with expertise across the full spectrum of sustainability including energy and carbon management, ESG, sustainable finance, social sustainability, biodiversity and green infrastructure/urban greening. 

Other dates for this course:

Biodiversity and Environmental Net Gain Project Partners

Our work on Biodiversity Net Gain and Environmental Gain is generously supported by the following organisations.

This masterclass is part of our Nature and Biodiversity Learning Programme

This programme seeks to radically change delegates view of nature, to a perspective that values and respects nature and humans’ place within the web of life.

Split into a wide number of workshops, masterclasses and webinars over several months, delegates can choose to join any number of sessions and do not need to attend them all. You are instead encouraged to engage with the question – how do I want to better connect with nature? – and seek out the learning opportunities that will help you find the answers you need.

Explore all opportunities in our programme

The post Biodiversity Net Gain Masterclass (Birmingham) appeared first on UKGBC.

Alongside the climate crisis, we face an ecological crisis in which biodiversity in the UK is under severe and urgent threat. With 50% of the UK’s economy linked to nature and the UK one of the most biodiversity depleted countries in the world, restoring our natural environments is critical to building our future green economy. This masterclass will help you understand and begin to implement the new Biodiversity Net Gain requirements set out in the Government’s Environment Act. There are huge opportunities for the built environment to restore nature and build more regenerative towns and cities – this masterclass will support you to do that.  

About the course

This half-day masterclass will deep dive into Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in the built environment. Focusing on the legislation and policy context in England, this course will help delegates understand the drivers behind BNG and how to achieve and surpass the mandated minimum 10% biodiversity uplift in new project.  
The course will cover the need for biodiversity recovery in general across England, contextualised against the climate and biodiversity crises. We’ll look at the principles and basics of BNG – what is BNG? Why does it matter? How is it measured? 
We’ll move on to explore the regulatory drivers for BNG with a focus on translating the Environment Act, 2021 and covering how a number of major local authorities apply the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and their own policies on BNG. Finally, we’ll cover the process of BNG from start to finish, picking up the practical steps needed within planning and construction, including how to design for BNG through green infrastructure design. 

The course will be interactive and discursive, giving you a chance to discuss BNG issues with colleagues from across the UKGBC membership, and our subject-matter expert.  

Who’s it for?
This masterclass is for developers, planners, architects, landscape architects, and any other planning/environmental professionals who need to know more about BNG within planning in England.

Course hosts Morgan Taylor, Director, Greengage. Morgan leads Greengages nature team, providing ecological and green infrastructure design input into projects enabling biodiversity net gains and complementing wider climate change adaptation measures. He provides clear and concise advice on how to manage ecology throughout planning and development. Morgan was included in the ENDS Report Power List 2023 of the most influential environmental professionals in the UK. 
Greengage is an independent sustainability consultancy with offices in London, Manchester, Sheffield, and Bristol. Established for over 17 years, we’re an award-winning team of consultants with expertise across the full spectrum of sustainability including energy and carbon management, ESG, sustainable finance, social sustainability, biodiversity and green infrastructure/urban greening. 

Other dates for this course:

Biodiversity and Environmental Net Gain Project Partners

Our work on Biodiversity Net Gain and Environmental Gain is generously supported by the following organisations.

The post Biodiversity Net Gain Masterclass (London) appeared first on UKGBC.

Alongside the climate crisis, we face an ecological crisis in which biodiversity in the UK is under severe and urgent threat. With 50% of the UK’s economy linked to nature and the UK one of the most biodiversity depleted countries in the world, restoring our natural environments is critical to building our future green economy. This masterclass will help you understand and begin to implement the new Biodiversity Net Gain requirements set out in the Government’s Environment Act. There are huge opportunities for the built environment to restore nature and build more regenerative towns and cities – this masterclass will support you to do that.  

About the course

This half-day masterclass will deep dive into Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in the built environment. Focusing on the legislation and policy context in England, this course will help delegates understand the drivers behind BNG and how to achieve and surpass the mandated minimum 10% biodiversity uplift in new project.  
The course will cover the need for biodiversity recovery in general across England, contextualised against the climate and biodiversity crises. We’ll look at the principles and basics of BNG – what is BNG? Why does it matter? How is it measured? 
We’ll move on to explore the regulatory drivers for BNG with a focus on translating the Environment Act, 2021 and covering how a number of major local authorities apply the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and their own policies on BNG. Finally, we’ll cover the process of BNG from start to finish, picking up the practical steps needed within planning and construction, including how to design for BNG through green infrastructure design. 

The course will be interactive and discursive, giving you a chance to discuss BNG issues with colleagues from across the UKGBC membership, and our subject-matter expert.  

Who’s it for?
This masterclass is for developers, planners, architects, landscape architects, and any other planning/environmental professionals who need to know more about BNG within planning in England.

Course hosts Morgan Taylor, Director, Greengage. Morgan leads Greengages nature team, providing ecological and green infrastructure design input into projects enabling biodiversity net gains and complementing wider climate change adaptation measures. He provides clear and concise advice on how to manage ecology throughout planning and development. Morgan was included in the ENDS Report Power List 2023 of the most influential environmental professionals in the UK. 
Greengage is an independent sustainability consultancy with offices in London, Manchester, Sheffield, and Bristol. Established for over 17 years, we’re an award-winning team of consultants with expertise across the full spectrum of sustainability including energy and carbon management, ESG, sustainable finance, social sustainability, biodiversity and green infrastructure/urban greening. 

Biodiversity and Environmental Net Gain Project Partners

Our work on Biodiversity Net Gain and Environmental Gain is generously supported by the following organisations.

The post Biodiversity Net Gain Masterclass (online) appeared first on UKGBC.

Alongside the climate crisis, we face an ecological crisis in which biodiversity in the UK is under severe and urgent threat. With 50% of the UK’s economy linked to nature and the UK one of the most biodiversity depleted countries in the world, restoring our natural environments is critical to building our future green economy. This masterclass will help you understand and begin to implement the new Biodiversity Net Gain requirements set out in the Government’s Environment Act. There are huge opportunities for the built environment to restore nature and build more regenerative towns and cities – this masterclass will support you to do that.  

About the course

This half-day masterclass will deep dive into Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in the built environment. Focusing on the legislation and policy context in England, this course will help delegates understand the drivers behind BNG and how to achieve and surpass the mandated minimum 10% biodiversity uplift in new project.  
The course will cover the need for biodiversity recovery in general across England, contextualised against the climate and biodiversity crises. We’ll look at the principles and basics of BNG – what is BNG? Why does it matter? How is it measured? 
We’ll move on to explore the regulatory drivers for BNG with a focus on translating the Environment Act, 2021 and covering how a number of major local authorities apply the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and their own policies on BNG. Finally, we’ll cover the process of BNG from start to finish, picking up the practical steps needed within planning and construction, including how to design for BNG through green infrastructure design. 

The course will be interactive and discursive, giving you a chance to discuss BNG issues with colleagues from across the UKGBC membership, and our subject-matter expert.  

Who’s it for?
This masterclass is for developers, planners, architects, landscape architects, and any other planning/environmental professionals who need to know more about BNG within planning in England.

Course hosts Morgan Taylor, Director, Greengage. Morgan leads Greengages nature team, providing ecological and green infrastructure design input into projects enabling biodiversity net gains and complementing wider climate change adaptation measures. He provides clear and concise advice on how to manage ecology throughout planning and development. Morgan was included in the ENDS Report Power List 2023 of the most influential environmental professionals in the UK. 
Greengage is an independent sustainability consultancy with offices in London, Manchester, Sheffield, and Bristol. Established for over 17 years, we’re an award-winning team of consultants with expertise across the full spectrum of sustainability including energy and carbon management, ESG, sustainable finance, social sustainability, biodiversity and green infrastructure/urban greening. 

Other dates for this course:

Biodiversity and Environmental Net Gain Project Partners

Our work on Biodiversity Net Gain and Environmental Gain is generously supported by the following organisations.

The post Biodiversity Net Gain Masterclass (online) 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 Science-based ecological softscape planning service appeared first on UKGBC.

The suite of learning resources here aims to demystify key sustainability concepts and create a common language for non-technical experts to confidently get involved in sustainable building topics.

Using jargon-free, easy-to-understand language, UKGBC’s Bitesize Learning provides a jumping-off point for non-sustainability professionals to begin their sustainability learning journey.

Our learning resource have been split into topic areas to make them easier to navigate.

On this page

• Discover the new set of finance guides
• Net Zero Carbon
• Nature, Resource use and the Circular Economy
• Resilience
• Sustainability across the Value Chain
• Retrofit

What’s available?

Alongside infographics, definitions and fact sheets, we also have the following 1 and 2 page guides:

Explainer Guides (1-page) break down key climate and nature topics into digestible chunks outlining:

• How it is defined.
• Its importance in tackling the climate crisis.
• How it relates to the built environment.
• Relevant resources to consolidate knowledge.

Practical Guides (2-pages) detail sustainable building across the value chain outlining:

• Key principles.
• Practical approaches for stakeholders.
• Case studies to bring the approach to life.
• Further resources to continue learning.

New Climate Finance Guides

Net Zero Carbon

Net Zero & Whole Life Carbon

Carbon Pricing, Carbon Offsetting & Renewable Energy

Nature, Resource use and the Circular Economy

Explainer and Practical Guides

Factsheets & Infographics

Something missing? Tell us what else you would like bitesize learning on via this short feedback form.

Using these guides

If you’d like to use these guides within your organisation, please contact Learning@UKGBC.org

Want to learn in a different way?

Sustainability Essentials for the Built Environment Email Course

Build your sustainability knowledge through this informative email-delivered learning opportunity.

Learn more

So What Can I Do? UKGBC Video Guides to Sustainability

This video series will help you understand sustainability in the built environment – and identify what role you can play in its transformation.

Learn more

The post Bitesize Learning appeared first on UKGBC.