RE:UK Sustainability Conference 2026 Programme

The UK has cut greenhouse gas emissions significantly since the Climate Change Act was passed. However, progress in preparing our buildings, infrastructure and communities for the effects of a changing climate has been much slower.

In this opening session, we will hear from Sophie Vipond, Director of External Affairs at the Climate Change Committee, on the scale of the adaptation challenge facing the UK and what needs to happen to create a country that is better prepared for a warmer and more volatile climate.

A changing climate requires us to rethink how we design, build, manage and retrofit our buildings and public spaces.
 
Cathy Keir, Head of Sustainability at Savills Investment Management, will discuss the importance of climate resilience from an investor perspective; Grace Taylor, Senior Project Manager at Grosvenor, will share insights from the transformation of Grosvenor Square into a climate-resilient urban garden; and Kirsty Draper, Head of Sustainability at JLL, will examine the expectations and experiences of occupiers. The session will be chaired and facilitated by Domenico del Re, Director at PwC.

We cannot deliver a climate-resilient UK without a climate-resilient built environment.

Simon McWhirter, Chief Executive of the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), will set out his vision for a more resilient real estate industry and explore the UKGBC Climate Resilience Roadmap and the action needed to help the sector respond to growing climate hazards.

An opportunity to reflect on the issues raised during the opening sessions and consider the priorities for your own organisation and the wider industry.

Delegates will share key themes and conclusions from the table exercise.

As the transition to a low-carbon economy accelerates and electricity demand increases, energy resilience and security are becoming increasingly important considerations for real estate.
 
This session, chaired by Aneysha Minocha, Founder and CEO of Quantaco, will explore why energy needs to be at the top of the agenda for sustainability professionals across the sector. Sonal Jain, Director of Sustainability and Social Impact at The King's Cross Group will share why energy resilience is such a critical issue for King's Cross and Chris Wright, Head of Sustainability and Decarbonisation at Avison Young, will draw on his previous experience as Head of Energy for Tesco to provide some key occupier insights.

Former Energy Minister The Rt Hon Chris Skidmore OBE has become one of the UK's most prominent advocates for climate action.
 
In this interview-style session, Chinyelu Oranefo, Managing Director of Sustainability Advisory at Lloyds Banking Group, will ask Chris to explore the policy, market and global trends shaping the sustainability agenda and to share insights from his work with the Transition Finance Council and the UK Net Zero Council.

Water-related risks can sometimes be overlooked, but flooding, water scarcity, ageing infrastructure and increased regulatory scrutiny are creating significant challenges for investors, developers and occupiers.
 
In this session, chaired by Gordon Rogers, Head of Sustainability at Places for London, we will hear from Kimberly Markiewicz, Sustainability Research Lead at JLL, who will share new research on the water-related climate challenges facing real estate, and from Phil Hirst, Director of Sustainability at Greystar, who will explain Greystar’s approach to water management and why water resilience is becoming an increasingly important consideration for the real estate sector.

Continue the conversation and connect with speakers and delegates over drinks.