Futurebuild, which has championed sustainability in the built environment for the past 16 years (including in its former guise, Ecobuild), returns to ExCel on 1-3 March. It will connect specifiers, decision makers, major brands and start-ups from across the industry
In the aftermath of the COP26 conference, Futurebuild (previously Ecobuild), is perfectly timed to focus on the key issues and actions needed to work towards net zero. The focus is no longer about ambition – it is about delivery. Claimed to be the only event to attract 20,000+ senior professionals from right across the built environment, the organisers say Futurebuild is the “perfect opportunity for the industry to meet and collaborate to achieve the transformational change needed if the built environment is going to reach net zero by 2050.”
Called the “home of innovation,” Futurebuild 2022 will be organised into six sections – Buildings, Offsite, Interiors, Resourceful Materials, Energy and Critical Infrastructure. The Energy section, for example, will unite professionals engaged in designing, specifying, supplying and installing services and products involving energy production and use. Visitors will be able to discover the latest technologies which will decarbonise the built environment by delivering a smart and flexible energy system.
Conference programme
In partnership with the Construction Innovation Hub, Futurebuild 2022’s conference programme will explore some of the key questions and issues around closing the gap between net zero ambition and delivery. It invites panels of industry experts to share their experiences on a range of topics, from embodied carbon to investing in education, skills and diversity.
The first day of the conference programme will focus on ambition beyond COP26 and will include a panel discussion entitled ‘In a world where embodied carbon is regulated, what has changed?’ Chaired by Rt. Hon. Phillip Dunne, MP, chair of the Environmental Audit Committee, this session will consider a future where embodied carbon is “effectively regulated,” and the panel will discuss what impact this would have on the UK’s pathway to net zero and the ways in which we design, build and retrofit buildings.
Spotlights
The event will also feature six ‘spotlights,’ which will include a mixture of presentations, discussions and practical demonstrations that will cover the fundamental issues facing the built environment:
- Digital Impact, sponsored by Glider
- Whole House Retrofit, in partnership with The Retrofit Academy
- Circular Materials, in partnership with 540 World
- District Energy, in partnership with UKDEA
- Future Installer, in partnership with MCS
- Intelligent Buildings, in partnership with KNX.
District energy and in particular low carbon heat networks are now recognised as one of the cornerstones of delivering decarbonisation of heat – a critical step in the journey towards net zero. The District Energy spotlight will provide visitors with essential knowledge and access to the latest solutions for the decarbonisation of heat.
Collaboration is key
The curated event will showcase over 250 leading brands, the companies who are developing the most innovative technologies, products and solutions. Visitors can participate in the innovation trail, which highlights the event’s innovation partners. The Big Innovation Pitch is a competition that celebrates
new approaches to the biggest challenges facing the industry. The six shortlisted innovations will pitch against each other during the event, before one is crowned the 2022 winner.
By bringing together individuals and companies from all areas of the built environment, we can accelerate innovation and provide everyone with access to the products and processes needed to deliver change.
“Now it is more important than ever to meet in person and do business face to face because our exhibitors and attendees are all working towards a common goal – achieving net zero,” explains Martin Hurn, event director at Futurebuild.