With a climate emergency, building safety disclosures and a global pandemic, it’s fair to say the last few years have been challenging for the Built Environment. With up to 75% of today’s buildings expected to still be in use by 2050, the construction industry surely must prioritise retrofitting existing buildings at a scale to meet energy-saving targets as outlined in the Paris Agreement. However, obstacles range in complexity, from financial and skills-based barriers to issues with building standards and overall underperforming buildings.

Join us on the 18th March at 8.30am to hear from industry experts involved in the retrofit challenge.

Conference Programme

• Welcome and introduction, Pauline Traetto (Chair), Managing Director, Reconstructing Minds and Associate at University Campus St Albans

• Government proposes tighter energy standards for existing homes. PAS 2035:2019 Retrofitting Dwellings for Improved Energy Efficiency –is it enough? Colin King – Member of the Government's Retrofit Task Force and Steering Group

• Sustainability in technology and retrofit relies on better upskilling and education. Do the current education frameworks support this? Michael Jaggs, Associate Director, BRE

• Net zero targets – do we understand embodied carbon? Anthony Taylor and Connor Ronayne, Morgan Sindall

• Deep retrofit and a diverse estate, Leeds University case study, Joe Morgan, Studio Director, ADP Architecture

• Summary and close, Stephen Fox, Executive Director, UCSA

UCSA has just launched a new Construction Site Management Degree Apprenticeship delivered in collaboration with the University of Hertfordshire. Sustainability and Modern Methods of Construction are key themes in this new award. Places are limited. Find out more details at https://www.uc-sa.co.uk/our-courses/construction-site-management-degree-apprenticeship/