What does it truly take to achieve net zero in the built environment? In a recent episode of the Thrive in Construction podcast, Darren Evans sits down with Dr Anastasia Mylona, Technical Director at CIBSE, to unpack the complexity behind net zero buildings and what’s required to make them a reality.
With global attention on the built environment’s role in tackling climate change, Anastasia brings clarity to a topic that is often clouded by buzzwords and broad ambitions. Drawing on her deep technical expertise and industry insight, she explores the practical, scientific and behavioural aspects that define real-world progress.
Understanding the challenge
Net zero is more than a target - it’s a transformation in how buildings are conceived, designed, and operated. Anastasia stresses the importance of systems thinking: the idea that buildings must be considered as interconnected ecosystems, where changes to one component can significantly impact another.
Throughout the conversation, she highlights often-overlooked elements such as embodied carbon, the influence of occupant behaviour, and the long-term consequences of design decisions. The discussion also touches on the hidden emissions that don’t typically make headlines but are crucial in closing the gap between ambition and delivery.
Key topics covered
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What makes a building truly net zero and why definitions matter
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Why systems thinking is vital for long-term performance
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The impact of hidden emissions and the need for better accounting
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Balancing efficiency with feasibility, especially in complex projects
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What current projects are teaching us, and where progress is falling short
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How evolving policy and design approaches will shape the road ahead
A global perspective
The interview also covers CIBSE’s growing international presence, including work in the UAE, and how lessons learned across different regions are informing global best practice. Anastasia speaks about the need for better collaboration across disciplines, particularly between engineers and architects, to avoid misaligned priorities and missed opportunities.
Personal insight and future vision
In addition to her professional insights, Anastasia reflects on her academic background, her research on sustainable materials like timber and straw, and her thoughts on gender dynamics within the engineering sector. She also shares her perspective on COP 2025 and how CIBSE’s five-year strategy is positioning the institution, and the wider industry, to lead on climate resilience.
The full episode is now available to watch below: