On 26th June 2024, CIBSE hosted its Decarbonisation Conference in central London, bringing together experts and thought leaders to discuss key strategies and innovations for achieving net-zero carbon buildings. The conference featured a robust program that addressed various aspects of decarbonisation, from policy updates to practical retrofit solutions.
Welcome and keynote address
The conference commenced with a warm welcome from Dr. Anastasia Mylona, CIBSE's Technical Director. This was followed by a keynote address from David Partridge, Chair of the Governance Board for the UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard, who set the stage by highlighting the critical importance of the UK’s net-zero carbon goals.
Session One: Update on the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard
David Partridge, along with Julie Godefroy, Head of Net Zero Policy at CIBSE, and other experts, provided an insightful update on the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard. This session covered the latest developments and practical guidance for achieving these ambitious targets.
Session two: Retrofit
The second session focused on retrofit strategies, featuring speakers such as Dr. Marcella Ucci from UCL and Marion Baeli from 10 Design. The discussions revolved around enhancing the sustainability of existing buildings through innovative retrofit approaches.
Session three: Heat networks and decarbonisation
Experts like Joshua Bird of Rethink Buildings and Tolu Fatogbe, Chair of the CIBSE Heat Networks Group, explored the role of heat networks in decarbonisation. The session highlighted successful case studies and best practices for implementing heat networks to reduce carbon footprints.
Session four: Net zero strategies
The final session delved into comprehensive net-zero strategies, with contributions from Dr. Lee Jones of Byggfakta Group and Simon Sturgis of Targeting Zero. Speakers discussed actionable plans and technologies that can drive the built environment towards net-zero emissions.
Mirror Climate Action Plan – Call to action
The conference concluded with an interactive session led by Julie Godefroy, encouraging participants to engage actively with the Mirror Climate Action Plan. This call to action emphasised the collective effort needed to combat climate change effectively.
CIBSE's Decarbonisation Conference 2024 was a pivotal event that not only showcased current advancements in building services engineering but also reinforced the industry's commitment to a sustainable and resilient future.