Kick-off event for Part 2 of UKGBC’s Commercial Retrofit project which aims to further explore the challenges and opportunities of retrofitting commercial buildings to close the gap towards net zero carbon 

UKGBC is launching this project to enable collaboration, shared learning and improve understanding of commercial retrofit, in anticipation of the MEES Regulations 2023 applying to all existing commercial leases, and the proposed ratcheting up these regulations to bring all existing commercial buildings to an EPC B by 2030. 

In May 2022, we published an initial report Delivering Net Zero: Key Considerations for Commercial Retrofit setting out key principles for net zero focused commercial retrofit projects.  Part 2 of this project aims to further explore the design, commercial, financial, and social challenges, and opportunities of closing the gap between the typical performance of different commercial asset types and net zero carbon outcomes. The intention is to deepen awareness and understanding amongst investors, owners, managers, designers, and consultants of the key considerations when planning upgrades to existing commercial assets, and how to address these in order to maximise compliance with ambitious and demanding net zero targets.  

The initial focus will be office buildings considered through different parameters such as: age; size; lease type; and HVAC / other specification variables.  

Workstreams could include:  

  • Assessing market trends: to forecast the ‘enablers of change’ and their ability to support commercial retrofit, e.g. access to green finance, falling costs of low carbon technologies, occupier trends, etc., 
  • Identify priority retrofit measures: to offer a set of design, operational and management solutions to get buildings on a path to net zero – based on the level of retrofit (light or deep) – specific to building types, e.g. office, industrial, retail, etc., 
  • Collect real-world examples: to compare different retrofit solutions to net zero, based on key parameters, e.g. energy / carbon reduction, cost / payback period, etc. 

Who should attend

Any built environment professional involved in commercial retrofit: Investors, Owners, Occupiers, Advisors (architects, building services engineers, consultants etc. ) Facilities Managers, Contractors, etc.

Why attend

Attendees will gain an overview of the existing guidance (Part 1) and understand the need for the new Part Two project, along with its aims and objectives and how our members can get involved.

Speakers

  • Alex Edwards, Sustainability Director, Bruntwood  
  • Katie Arnold, Associate Director – Sustainability & ESG Finance, Lloyds 
  • Chris Joyce, Senior Consultant, Turner & Townsend 
  • Simon Crowe, Managing Director, Low Carbon Alliance
  • Yetunde Abdul, Head of Climate Action, UKGBC
  • Anna Hollyman, Senior Sustainability Advisor, UKGBC


With thanks to our Advancing Net Zero Programme Partners


 

Event details

Open to

All are welcome.

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