- Policy and regulation: Review of current policy design & implementation
- Net zero targets and climate policies; how regulations are shaping the industry
- Advancements in sustainable building requirements
- Incentives and funding for retrofit and green construction
2025 Agenda
8:40am
Welcome and Opening Remarks from the Chair
Entrepreneur & Broadcaster
A national roadmap for net-zero carbon buildings
8:50am
OPENING ADDRESS:
Towards a net-zero emissions future of our buildings; the value of sustainability in the built environment
9:05am
PANEL DISCUSSION:
The journey to 2030 and 2050: How are we progressing?
Assistant Secretary General, Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment
Executive Manager, Energy Planning, Codema
Accelerating the decarbonisation of existing buildings
9:40am
MORNING KEYNOTE:
Decarbonising Europe’s building stock: The challenge of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)
Head of EU Policy, Efficient Buildings Europe
Accelerating the decarbonisation of existing buildings
10:00am
PANEL DISCUSSION
Delivering the EPBD on the ground
Key objectives, stages and deadlines, implications for lenders and mortgages
Vice Chair, Sustainability Group, Society of Chartered Surveyors in Ireland (SCSI)
10:20am
PANEL DISCUSSION
Whole-Life-Carbon
From 2028, the new Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) will make the measurement of ‘whole life carbon’ (embodied plus operational carbon) mandatory for large buildings. And all buildings will have to measure and limit embodied carbon from 2030. But, given the scale of new construction envisioned in Ireland between now and 2030, it’s critical we start much sooner. Our panel discusses:
- Life Cycle assessment and carbon accounting
- The Revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive will require member states to regulate the embodied carbon of buildings for the first time -Embodied carbon v operational carbon; measuring and mitigating impact
- Whole life carbon analysis – from materials sourcing to demolition
- Carbon offsetting and certification: LEED, BREEAM & other rating systems
Head of Environmental Policy and Compliance, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII)
Director of Innovation, Irish Green Building Council
11:00am
Networking Coffee Break & Exhibition Viewing
11:30am
PANEL DISCUSSION:
The retrofit and refurbishment challenge
- Decarbonising existing buildings, strategies for retrofit
- Financing energy efficient buildings: The path to retrofitting at scale
- Boosting real estate investment for decarbonising buildings
- How can government align ambitious policies with housing affordability goals?
- Skills development
- Leveraging data for smarter renovation strategies
- Balancing conservation with efficiency
- How biodiversity net gain (BNG) is shaping sustainable development
Chief Commercial Officer at Clúid Housing & Director at LCi
Dean of Flexible and Work Based Learning, Technological University of the Shannon
12:05pm
CASE STUDY:
Installing a heat pump – is it worth it? Tackling the barriers to retrofit
This case study illustrates the difficulty encountered for one of the 35% moderately well performing dwellings (i.e. with a BER of C) in embracing heat pump technologies in Ireland. What are the best incentives for this cohort of homeowners to retrofit their homes?
12:25pm
Networking Lunch Break & Exhibition Viewing
The low carbon construction roadmap
1:25pm
Welcome Back from the Chair
Entrepreneur & Broadcaster
1:30pm
FIRESIDE CHAT:
How to decarbonise construction
As net zero targets draw closer, the construction industry must continue to adapt and develop new ways to address its contribution to reducing GHG emissions. How is the industry performing against its goals, what are the strategies that can most effectively secure a more sustainable future for Ireland’s construction sector?
Innovation & Design Director, Sisk
1:40pm
PANEL DISCUSSION:
Building materials: The next frontier for Decarbonisation
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, 2022, global construction industry is responsible for 37%* of greenhouse gas emissions, yet only 5% of global Venture Capital investment is directed towards innovations in this sector.
2:15pm
PANEL DISCUSSION:
Why have we not embraced MMC more?
This panel explores the factors inhibiting the widespread adoption of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), including barriers to implementation, management challenges, governmental strategies, and financing concerns.
Educational Outreach and Research Manager, Construction Cluster Ireland, Technological University Dublin
2:50pm
PANEL DISCUSSION:
Removing the barriers to decarbonisation with technology, innovation & skills
Innovation is one of the key levers the construction industry has to achieve decarbonisation. Disruptive solutions are here now and they’re ready to scale! We have fantastic technology at our disposal to support our efforts to become more environmentally conscious. The discussion revealed exciting opportunities for us to innovatively use the technology we have already to create more solutions. How an AI-informed approach make it faster, easier and cheaper to decarbonise real estate
Sustainability Consultant, Earthology
Demystifying the circular economy in construction
3:20pm
PANEL DISCUSSION:
Moving beyond buzz words to achieve true circularity
The circular economy is often misunderstood. It’s not simply about waste reduction but is an economic model that challenges us to revolutionise the linear way we currently operate. Our panellists discuss the what, the why and the how of the circular economy
- Driving sustainability through procurement and circular economy: the crucial role of procurement strategies, incentivisation, and circular economy principles in promoting sustainability within the construction industry.
- Exploring innovative procurement models that prioritise sustainability and value, emphasising the adoption of circular economy principles.
- The challenges and opportunities in shifting procurement thinking towards carbon-friendly solutions, including the role of government incentives.
- Examining the dual responsibility of businesses and government entities in driving progress towards net-zero carbon goals through collaborative efforts.
- Sharing strategies to foster circular economy practices within the construction sector, aiming to reduce waste and promote resource efficiency.
- Exploring potential strategies to mitigate challenges and ensure compliance with sustainability standards while promoting sustainable development practices through procurement.
- Analysing the importance of government incentives in driving net-zero progress and fostering collaboration between businesses and government entities to accelerate sustainability initiatives.
CEO, High Performance Building Alliance (HPBA)
Senior Quantity Surveyor & Construction Adviser, Office of Government Procurement
Sustainable cities
3:55pm
PANEL DISCUSSION:
The future of sustainable cities – what’s next in urban development?
- Smart buildings, sustainable futures – How emerging technologies are tackling the ESG challenge
- innovative investment models to decarbonise our citie
Chair, ‘Cork City 2030’, Cork Business Association
Senior Planner, Irish Planning Institute
Head of Discipline, Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, TCD
4:30pm