Executive summary

Key outputs of the discussion

Reaching the tipping point

Growing awareness of climate change and activism have developed an unstoppable momentum. It’s a driving political force that will make further policy and regulatory change inevitable. Consumer expectations are also shifting and will result in cultural change: more focus on reinventing the world we want to leave for our children.

Removing policy deficits and disconnects

A wide range of policy deficits and disconnects have to be removed as a priority. A nationally-led planning policy on carbon reduction would bring more consistency and direction. All too often planning guidance and building regulations conflict with policy aspirations around achieving Net Zero.

Real world views of cost

The property sector is frequently hamstrung by a narrow focus on capital expenditure and too little consideration of the operational costs and carbon impact once end users occupy any building. True sustainability demands a holistic assessment of whole life cycle cost and performance.

Retrofitting the future

Retrofitting our existing stock of buildings is a huge challenge but equally represents an opportunity to achieve a step change in carbon reduction.

Credible carbon data

We need to be measuring carbon using accredited methods, all the time and become more literate as a nation in our understanding of what reduction means. In doing so, we need to support innovation and research that furthers these goals.

Early engagement is key

In the built environment, early collaboration between professionals is imperative to deliver serious carbon reductions. The project team, supported by digital modelling tools, can deliver better outcomes and efficiency gains if given the opportunity to apply low carbon solutions at the outset.

In your view, which of the six key takeaways is the most important for delivering a low carbon future in Kent?

Growing awareness of climate change and activism driving political/policy change.
Resolving policy deficits and disconnects.
More consideration of the operational costs and carbon impact once end-users occupy any building.
Successfully retrofitting our existing stock of buildings.
Carbon literacy and wider use of accredited methods of measuring it.
Early engagement and collaboration between professionals to engineer carbon out of schemes.