Adopting Net-Zero Solutions in the South West’s Building Industry

Decarbonising the construction industry is crucial to support wider societal ambition to achieve net zero and mitigate climate change. The University of Plymouth's Net Zero Exchange has conducted research alongside regional builders’ merchant, Bradfords Building Supplies, over the summer to investigate the current adoption of low carbon solutions in construction projects. This benchmarking exercise helps identify where opportunity lies and what barriers exist with a view to supporting wider adoption of low carbon solutions throughout the industry in our region.

Now complete, we are delighted to invite you to an event to present the findings of the research and discuss the challenge of decarbonising the construction industry in the South-West.

The event is for all individuals and organisations interested in the extent to which low carbon solutions are being adopted in construction across the South-West region. It will be held at Exeter College’s Institute of Technology on Friday 22nd November 2024 from 9.30-2.30. Refreshments and lunch will be provided.

The launch will reveal the results of detailed research conducted over the summer examining the use by the construction industry of low-carbon building materials in the South-West. The research provides insights into why we are adopting or avoiding solutions and aiming to use our new knowledge to develop a low-carbon strategy. The report seeks to offer pointers for likely easy wins for accelerated adoption.

The report was commissioned by Bradfords Building Supplies as part of their strategy to support the development of better and less environmentally harmful development and building across the region. The research of builders, suppliers and architects was conducted jointly by Plymouth Business School researchers, Bradfords Building Supplies, University of Plymouth's Sustainable Earth Institute and the Net-Zero Exchange. The project is part of the Net-Zero Solutions Fund.

The research will be of interest to: architects; surveyors; planners and building control; manufacturers; builders’ merchants; contractors; builders; built environment academics and net-zero and housing policy makers and advisers.

The launch event will include:

• the report findings;
• speakers from within the sector (including CEO of Adaptavate Tom Robinson and Architect Adam Parsons from BCorp Architects APG) covering;

the impact of regulation changes

the part planning has to play

the impact of carbonsolutions and opportunities for decarbonisation from experts in the supply chain

• breakout sessions including:

carbon literacy training

discussion on easy wins

delivering long term change

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​The event also provides an opportunity to enhance existing collaborations to find sustainable solutions.

Host or Publisher The Environmental Futures and Big Data Impact Lab