Conference Tackles Decarbonising the Built Environment

HUNDREDS attended ‘_shift’ Space Group’s annual conference, held at Newcastle University’s award-winning Henry Daysh building on 9 November.

The conference was an essential day of conversations exploring the building sectors’ role in reducing emissions and combating climate change. Attendees travelled from all over Europe to inspire and instigate transformative action.

The first in-person event of its kind, it was a day of discussions and networking between innovators and representatives spanning every part of the industry. Architects, construction workers, policymakers, building materials companies, tech startups, venture capitalists, environmental experts, and more were brought together under one roof with one common mission: decarbonising the built environment.

On a Highway to Climate Hell

Opening the conference was the mind behind this important event: Space Group‘s CEO Rob Charlton.

Setting the scene and reminding everyone of the severity of the day’s focus, Rob referenced the UN secretary general’s statement at COP27, “We are on a highway to climate hell with our foot on the accelerator.”

Following an illuminating Climate Timeline video, the former Head of Sustainability Innovation at IKEA, Håkan Nordkvist, presented how we can innovate, build a circular society, and change earth systems for the better.

“Governments need to be bolder,” cited Håkan, connected to the advice and findings offered by Chris Hines MBE, founding member of Surfers Against Sewage and former Sustainability Director of the Eden Project.

The ‘_shift’ audience hung on every word as Chris shared insights into how activism can enact real and lasting environmental change.

Decarbonising the Built Environment

Overall, the sentiment was optimistic as Håkan and Chris discussed their experiences of bettering the lives of people and the planet, emphasising how the built environment can now do the same.

The conference helped further industry knowledge as a plethora of speakers and panellists contributed, including James Pellat of GPE, Helen Kerrigan from Newcastle City Council and Scott Bush, Co-founder of Low Carbon Materials, finalists in this year’s Earthshot Prize.

Closing the conference, Rob Charlton reminded everyone of the pressing issues we face and the need for immediate drastic action on decarbonisation of the built environment.

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