It’s time to take a stand for a better-built environment and net zero outcomes, says Martin Hurn, event director of Futurebuild
Faced with the enormous challenge of dramatically improving buildings to meet our climate change targets, Futurebuild, the ‘industry stage’ for building product innovation, is Taking a Stand for a better-built environment as part of a launch initiative for next year’s event.
It is also urging companies and professionals throughout the construction supply chain to make a similar commitment by “taking a stand” on an issue they passionately believe will help propel the industry towards a more sustainable future.
Net zero is at the heart of Futurebuild
Real progress on serious issues such as net zero is made when people come together. It’s a shared responsibility and for those that work in the built environment, we have an even bigger responsibility to make a change. Our event’s core is sustainability, but if you’re equally as passionate about diversity or bridging the construction skills gap as you are innovation or improved building standards, next year’s Futurebuild is your stage to showcase that commitment and take a stand.
Now in its 17th year, Futurebuild – formerly known as Ecobuild – has driven the sustainability agenda by providing a showcase for products and materials that support innovation for the safer, smarter creation of net zero buildings. As well as attracting hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of decision makers, this leading built environment trade event hosts a stellar line-up of 300 distinguished industry speakers across 10 stages. In terms of visitors, 81% of attendees are managerial level or above, they’re senior decision makers with purchasing power.
Our audience is as passionate as we are about creating a better-built environment. At last year’s show, we hosted the Architect Climate Action Network (ACAN), which is representative of the positive activism many in the industry are calling for to address the building industry’s carbon output. Therefore, whether you’re a professional institution that wants to take part in our speaker programme, you’re looking to host a fringe event or launch a new product, Futurebuild is your ideal platform.
Industry collaboration to achieve net zero
Next year’s Take a Stand initiative has already been eagerly received. Dwayne De Silva, business development manager at AirEx Technologies, revealed his commitment to a better-built environment at a launch event for Futurebuild 2023.
“I’m taking a stand for ventilation,” he said.
“Currently, there’s a huge emphasis within the UK to insulate homes. But one of the key challenges we face when insulating properties is a large build-up of dampness and mould, which could lead to these same properties overheating if insulation is seen as the only solution. Therefore, we also need to think about how we ventilate our homes.”
In addition, Oliver Baker, CEO at Ambient Heating, announced his company was taking a stand for delivering net zero and the decarbonisation of heat into building types, such as smaller homes and high-rise, multi-occupancy properties, that were not particularly appropriate for air source heat pumps.
“We want to do this as cost-effectively as possible for landlords while ensuring residents avoid fuel property,” he said.
From architects, housebuilders and developers, through to consultants, contractors and manufacturers, Futurebuild attracts representatives from across the building supply chain. The majority of attendees (75%) are drawn to the event in order to discover new innovations.
In terms of values, Futurebuild organisers will certainly “walk the talk” when it comes to the event’s emissions footprint. It’s hoped that future shows will be net zero, with plans to improve the sustainable outcome of Futurebuild 2023 by implementing zero-waste measures and encouraging visitors to cycle or use public transport to attend.
Independent and curated content for a better-built environment
Futurebuild 2023 will feature insight and debate from sustainability champions and puts the spotlight on innovative and inspiring products, solutions and services that will help us achieve a net zero future.
It will be curated into eight show sections and spotlights including: Buildings, Digital, District Energy, Energy, Innovation Zone, Interiors, Materials, Offsite, Retrofit and Sustainable Infrastructure.
The seminar sessions will be delivered by leading experts from industry partners and associations such as the Good Homes Alliance, BRE, Passivhaus Trust, Built by Nature, CIAT, IOM World and UK DEA (District Energy Association) to name but a few.
Everyone in the supply chain has a solution that can make a positive change. Futurebuild 2023 is the ultimate stage to showcase that commitment to the creation of a better building industry and achieving net zero. Therefore, our question to UK construction professionals and bodies in relation to sustainability is a simple one: What are you taking a stand for?
Martin Hurn
Event director
Futurebuild
