The fight for sustainability will be won or lost in cities
This year's virtual annual debate will bring together leading experts from the engineering and built environment sector to discuss how cities are driving the sustainability agenda.
Registration for this event has now been closed
Background
Cities play a key role in delivering Goal 11 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Agenda. With two-thirds of the world’s population predicted to live in urban settings by 2030, cities are the epicentre of opportunity, jobs, technology and economic development.
Yet they also contribute to climate change accounting for at least 70% of total worldwide greenhouse gas emissions.
PM Boris Johnson recently announced significant reforms to our planning system with the mantra ‘build, build, build’. These reforms are designed to make it easier to build homes where people want to live by repurposing existing buildings.
Will this be supported by sustainable development, greener methods of construction and energy efficient buildings as we look to reduce our environmental impact?
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn, the Construction Leadership Council published its ‘Roadmap to Recovery’ setting out its vision to increase activity across the construction ecosystem. The outcome of the two-year plan will be a more capable, professional, productive and profitable sector achieved through:
• Making progress towards delivering net zero carbon
• Procuring to support whole life value
• Creating a culture of innovation to improve productivity
• Delivering better, safer buildings
• Supporting the local supply chain
• Investing in skills and training
Innovation and technology are driving sustainability alongside changes in mobility, transportation and consumer behaviour. What does this mean for infrastructure and the revival of our town centres and high streets? Will we foster sustainable cities?
One unexpected outcome from COVID-19 is the positive environmental benefits from reduction in transport and industry. As we look to rebuild our economies, rather than striving for the ‘old normal’, how can we work towards a more sustainable ‘new normal’?
Join us for a lively debate and see how our industry is shaping the sustainability agenda.
Sponsored by:

Why attend
• Discover how cities are driving the sustainability agenda
• Explore what the construction sector is doing to achieve sustainable development
• Earn valuable CPD
Who should attend
• Sustainability, environmental and waste professionals
• Research and development specialists
• Strategy and innovation specialists
• Consultants
• Clients
• Academics
• Product suppliers and manufacturers
When
Wednesday 30 September 2020
14:00 - 16:00
Programme
14:00 Welcome and introduction
Dirk Vennix, Chief Executive, CIRIA
14:05 Chair’s opening remarks
14:10 Speakers will provide short opening remarks followed by chaired debate and discussion
Panellists:
Jo Gilroy, Group Head of Sustainability & Environment, Kier
Kristen Guida, London Climate Change Partnership
Dr Alex Opoku, Associate Professor in Project Management and Quantity
Surveying, University College London
Martin Powell, Global Head of Urban Development, Siemens
Davide Stronati, Global Sustainability and Climate Change Leader,
Mott MacDonald
Alex Tosetti, Chief Commercial Officer, VU.CITY
15:00 Debate and questions from the floor
15:50 Closing remarks
Fees
CIRIA members: Free
Non-members: £35 + VAT
Booking
Please sign in or create an account to register for this event.
Joining instructions will be sent ten days before the webinar.
The link to attend the webinar is strictly personal and should not be shared.
If you are experiencing issues registering for this event online please contact us on
020 7549 3300 or email [email protected].
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Further Information
For further information on CIRIA membership and other services, please contact:
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.ciria.org