NZC Buildings: challenges, opportunities and future developments’ Workshop

The Carbon Artifacts team held an event on NZC Buildings on 29 January 2025 to mark the end of our UKRI ESRC two year grant for research into project team engagement with net zero carbon.

Over 80 people registered, including construction professionals, local authorities, community stakeholders, researchers and others interested in the implementation of NZC building policies and in future developments.

Discussion ranged from the experience of experienced professionals such as Oliver Hall, Make Architects and Jennifer Pollard, Hoare Lea, to academic reflections by Prof. John Connaughton on the strengths and limits of standards and Martin Green on pathways to NZC, to a presentation on the new UK NZC standard from Chris Twinn, Twinn Sustainability Innovation.  Reflection on future directions included insights from Michael Beavan on community energy initiatives, from Ben Burfoot on the work of the Reading Council and from Prof. Jacopo Torriti on the development of flexible demand certificates.

Event Agenda:

For copies of presentations, please click on the Speakers Name.

SESSION 1 : DELIVERING NZC

9:40-10:40: Panel Presentations

Oliver Hall, Make Architects. Oliver leads Make Neutral, the sustainability team at Make Architects. He is also the BCO NextGen London and Southeast Chair.
Jennifer Pollard, Hoare Lee
Prof. John Connaughton, Professor of Sustainable Systems in the Built Environment, University of Reading. John will present his research into embodied carbon modelling and the effect of standards.
Dr. Martin Green, University of Reading. Martin will present his research into the journey from initial NZC goals to project level design and delivery.

10:40–11:00: Coffee

11:00-11:30: Breakout Session
This will be devoted to sharing experiences and developing questions for the panel.

11:30-12:30: Panel Discussion
Chaired by Professor Libby Schweber, University of Reading

Oliver Hall, Make Architects
Jennifer Pollard, Hoare Lee
Professor John Connaughton, University of Reading
Dr. Martin Green, University of Reading

12:30-13:30: Lunch

SESSION 2: KEYNOTE

13:30-14:15: The development and Future of the UK NZC Building Standard
Chris Twinn, Twinn Sustainability Innovation. Chris is a principal at Twinn Sustainability and serves on the NZC Building Standard Governance Board.

SESSION 3: FUTURE DIRECTIONS

14:15-15:00 Panel Presentations

Michael Beaven, Maid Energy. Michael is a Director of Maid Energy, an independent community business devoted to supporting locally generated and locally owned renewable energy.
Professor Jacopo Torriti, University of Reading. Jacopo is a Professor of Energy Economics and Policy at the University of Reading and Flexibility Theme Lead of the UKRI funded Energy Demand Research Centre (EDRC).
Ben Burfoot, Reading Borough Council. Ben is Sustainability Manager at Reading Borough Council.

15:00-15:20 Coffee

15:20-15:50 Panel Discussion
Chaired by Professor Sonja Dragojlovic-Oliveira, Strathclyde University

Chris Twinn, Twinn Sustainability Innovation
Michael Beaven, Maid Energy
Prof. Jacopo Torriti, University of Reading
Ben Burfoot, Reading Borough Council.

15:50-16:00 Closing Remarks

16:00 Event Close