News

Birmingham, 15th July – The Currency of Carbon Conference, held at ARUP’s Birmingham office, marked a significant milestone in the construction industry’s journey towards sustainability and carbon neutrality. The event, featuring prominent speakers Mark Wakeford from Evo Energy, Nigel Tonks from ARUP, Mina Hasman from SOM / Climate Framework, and Becky Clayton from PwC, attracted a diverse audience of industry developers, professionals, contractors, manufacturers and sustainability advocates.

Event Highlights

Insightful Presentations: The conference commenced with a thought-provoking keynote by Mark Wakeford, setting the stage for an in-depth exploration of carbon counting for 2030 and the transition of the industry towards a zero-carbon future by 2050. “If you don’t measure it then you cannot manage it”. Each of the guest speakers brought unique perspectives and expert knowledge to the table:

• Nigel Tonks from ARUP discussed the role of whole life carbon measurement engineering solutions in reducing carbon footprints and completing the Net Zero Building Standard (UK) to enable a agreed standard for clear measurements comparisons and targets that will enable a level playing field across industry and prevent carbon leakage and greenwashing.
• Mina Hasman from SOM / Climate Framework – Value of Carbon – highlighted carbon cost and impact on society and the importance of collaboration, cross-industry training, sharing and upskilling that is critical to trickle down, and up, information on the journey to Net Zero carbon. Societal shift. An unprecedented journey we now face. One for Innovation, Leadership, Investment, Clarity and Influence.
• Becky Clayton from PwC provided a detailed analysis of the economic and regulatory landscape, offering insights into how businesses can navigate and leverage these frameworks to achieve carbon reduction goals. “We need to work together now to build a more productive and sustainable value chain – we can’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good”.

Interactive Sessions: The conference featured interactive Q&A sessions, where attendees engaged directly with the speakers, raising pertinent questions about practical challenges of ‘business readiness’ and sharing their experiences of an industry that needs clear guidance. This exchange fostered a collaborative environment, allowing for the cross-pollination of ideas and best practices including a call for Government climate action and intervention along the lines of the Health & Safety Act that is now transforming the industry.

Key Takeaways

• Adopt Sustainable Practices: One of the primary messages from the conference was for the industry to Measure, Collaborate and Communicate. From innovative materials and design to regulatory compliance and economic incentives, all aspects of the construction process must align towards a common goal of reducing carbon emissions.
• Cross-industry Training is Key: Carbon literacy and creating a common language to upskill across the industry. Collaborative partnerships between architects, engineers, policymakers, and businesses are essential to drive meaningful change.
• Economic and Environmental Benefits: The discussions underscored the dual benefits of sustainability—economic and environmental. Investing in sustainable practices not only helps mitigate climate change but also offers significant economic returns through innovation, efficiency gains and compliance with emerging regulations.

• • Map emissions and carbon price exposure.
  • Turn exposure into opportunity.
  • Plan ahead to avoid price shocks.
  • Engage Investors.

Looking Ahead

The Currency of Carbon Conference successfully highlighted the urgency and feasibility of transitioning to a zero-carbon construction industry. The insights and strategies shared by the speakers will undoubtedly inspire and guide attendees in their professional practices.

As the construction industry continues to evolve, events like this conference are crucial in maintaining momentum and fostering a culture of Net Zero Carbon. We look forward to future editions of the Currency of Carbon Conference and the continued progress of the industry towards a sustainable and carbon-neutral future.

Feedback and Further Information: Attendees are encouraged to provide feedback on the conference through the provided channels. Links to the presentations and further resources are available here.

Contact: For more information about the event or to get involved in future conferences, please contact info@cemidlands.org or take a look here: Climate Action Theme Group