11:00

Promoting net zero through planning

As the 2050 deadline looms, questions remain on how net zero will be achieved. How does the government intend to support use of the planning system to pursue net zero by reviewing the NPPF? How can engaging with councils and local authorities ensure this is promoted across all levels? How councils are using planning to set energy efficiency standards that are higher than current building regs standards?

11:00

Retrofit 101 - Promoting net zero carbon and sustainability from the start

This deep dive session will look into the retrofit, efficiency and environmental standards stipulated under PAS 2080, EN15643, PAS 2035, and BREEAM, including how these will affect certain approaches to infastructure projects, the changing burden on the private sector to meet these technical standards, and the long term impacts

11:30

Change is coming - Government planning reforms in 2023 & beyond

This session will be the touchpoint for all things governmental - Where are with with the NPPF? Does it adequately support sustainable & Net Zero planning? How can the levelling up & regeneration bill be deployed to ensure net zero prioritisation? Are you prepared for it? Where are we with the compulsory purchase system reform?

11:30

Environmental & Social Governance in the transition to Net Zero

With the requirements for securing sustainable investment funding becoming ever tighter, a number of concerns stand against achieving net-zero.What are the current challenges & risk considerations blocking investment attainment? How are Environmental & Social Governance criteria changing, and what impact is this having on securing financing? How can the internal ESG case for decarbonisation be communicated effectively in the face of traditionally more lucrative & risk averse options?

12:00

Interactive Roundtable Discussion Groups

In this session, delegates have the opportunity to engage in intimate discussion groups, hosted by a moderator, providing the opportunity to reflect, share and delve into the discussions throughout the day. Tables include:

• Table 1: Biodiversity net gain
• Table 2: Public sector challenges
• Table 3: Developer contributions
• Table 4: Sustainability

12:00

Interactive Roundtable Discussion Groups

In this session, delegates have the opportunity to engage in intimate discussion groups, hosted by a moderator, providing the opportunity to reflect, share and delve into the discussions throughout the day. Tables include:

• Table 1: Investment & Financing
• Table 2: Public/Private best practice
• Table 3: Net Zero assets
• Table 4: ESG

14:00

Planning for people, prosperity and planet

Achieving net zero targets begins at the planning stage, trickling down into every aspect of the project until delivery if mapped properly. What is the planning sectors responsibility in this, and how has that changed? What are both public and private sector planners doing to ensure this step is met? Why do environmental and land use issues requires regional cooperation?

14:00

Net zero & the cost crisis - how to stay ahead

Decarbonisation is a major UK government priotity, but its acceleration comes at a time of significant energy and fiscal strain in the country. How does investing in energy effciency help alleviate this problem? What benefits are there also to local authorities (i.e. jobs, grants etc.)? Who are the key private sector players that are primed to assist?

14:30

Net zero carbon energy policies within local plans

Ensuring energy is accounted for within local planning is an important step towards net zero and carbon neutrality. How can Local Authorities develop leading edge net-zero carbon evidence bases for their emerging Local Plan reviews? What support is there availble to best understand and develop these? 

14:30

One voice - harmonising policies, practises & standards

Aligning net zero policies and standards stands to give a much needed to accelerating adoption by all actors in the supply chain. How has the government worked to standardise net zero policies for infastructure & retrofit projects? Where can the private sector best influence this standardisation process?

15:00

Gauging the future of planning

With the expected shake up to the planning system coming up, this summary discussion will assess what we have learned, along with a few other questions. What makes a good quality planning system? How will the incoming legislation impact the existing planning system in place, both nationally and regionally?

15:00

Setting the scene - knowing what a successful net zero PPP looks like

What are the boxes that a project needs to tick to ensure a smooth operational period? Does ‘successful’ operation look different through different stakeholders’ eyes?  Does a healthy relationship between public and private sector mean the contract is constantly referred to or that it stays in the drawer?  How have the needs of projects changed - Net Zero, social engagement, tighter budgets?

11:00

The importance of embodied carbon and sustainable building materials in public infrastructure

With the rising importance of the environmental impacts of the materials we use to construct our built environment, there is much we can do to lesson the impact. From using low carbon materials, being efficient in the materials and designs we choose, as well as reusing materials and buildings. This presentation we explore some of the drivers and opportunities and the fit with local planning.

11:00

Green public procurement

Ensuring public sector procurement abides by net zero is as important as the project itself. How can embedding sustainability into procurement support net zero targets from the beginning? How can this be ceased through supplier engagement before procurement begins? How has the National Procurement Strategy changed to reflect this?

11:30

Circularity through structural repurposing

Whilst embedding sustainability into the planning of new buildings is now common practice, modernising existing assets is also an important means of ensuring sustainability. How can planners know which of the two approaches is best suited for the projected site? How do developers know which of these two contrasting approaches to utilise?

11:30

Green assets - are they still worth the hype?

Whilst ESG securities have historically yeilded impressive returns for private sector investors, is this a continuing trend, or a bubble waiting to pop? What can be done to increase the returns of such an asset? How can we ensure a greener asset efficiency at the investment, operational and handback stages?

12:00

Future homes initiative - The next step in sustainable development?

With the new requirement to provide discounts on housing for first time and key worker buyers, opening the way for a new swathe of home owners. With that, how will this change existing future contributions to affordable housing? And what sort of effect will this have on the existing market?

12:00

Working smart & hard - How to create an enabling environment

Reaching net-zero targets will require profound changes to infrastructure in order to reduce the carbon intensity of energy supply and capture process emissions. Creating an enabling environment to do this requires significant public-private cooperation to achieve. With that, what are the practical and technological considerations to prompt this? How must public and private sectors interact, and where are they currently falling short?