On 6 May, Building Insights LIVE brought together architects, consultants, manufacturers and sustainability experts for a round table discussion focused on one of the built environment’s most significant challenges: ensuring embodied carbon becomes a central consideration in the drive towards genuinely sustainable construction.
The event explored how the industry can balance the pressures of cost, regulation and large-scale delivery while ensuring upfront embodied carbon is measured and reduced alongside operational emissions. A key theme throughout the discussion was that the sector already has access to the data, standards and expertise needed to drive meaningful change. The greater challenge lies in embedding embodied carbon into procurement, design decisions and project delivery, while encouraging clients and policymakers to prioritise whole-life carbon assessment. Participants also highlighted the absence of regulatory requirements and the barriers this creates for wider adoption across the industry.
Held in London, the round table was sponsored by Milbank Concrete Products. The discussion was chaired by architect Simon Sturgis, a leading advocate for whole-life carbon assessment who has advised Government on embodied carbon and sustainable construction.
Contributors included representatives from Useful Simple Trust, Milbank Concrete Products and organisations spanning the wider construction sector. Discussions highlighted the growing influence of the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard in shaping industry practice, underlining its potential to accelerate the adoption of embodied carbon measurement despite the continued absence of formal regulation.
Event Chair:
- James Parker, Managing Editor, Architects Datafile and Housebuilder & Developer Magazines
Attendees:
- Will Arnold, Head of Sustainable Materials, Useful Simple Trust
- Kirsty Girvan, Senior Policy Advisor, UKGBC
- Tim den Dekker, Associate, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
- Stephanie Baker, Sustainability Consultant, SEES (Sadler Energy & Environmental Services)
- Ewan Duffin, Associate Director, Harley Haddow
- Simon Sturgis, Founder, Targeting Zero & Chair, RIBA Sustainability Futures Group
- Ivan Jovanovic, Director, Sustainability & Environmental Design, Atelier Ten
- Simon Wyatt, Partner, Sustainability, Cundall
- Ellen Willis, Head of Sustainability, Chetwoods
- Diego Padilla-Philipps, Director of Decarbonisation, WSP
- Lee Cowen, Managing Director, Milbank Concrete Products
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