Mum, Dad, what did YOU do to stop climate change?

It is not enough to think we have done our bit by turning down the thermostat or cycling to work. As business leaders and professional consultants in the property sector we need to use our influence with clients, colleagues and end-users to take action now. Buildings generate 35% of CO2 emissions and so everyone involved in planning, design and construction needs to play their part; as do property investors and developers. Whether we are seasoned executives, junior team members or free-lancers we can all influence decision makers by asking questions, steering discussions and directing our colleagues and clients towards alternative answers.

In my spare time I am tackling climate change as a volunteer for Community Impact Challenge (CIC). CIC was founded by alumni of INSEAD Business School, where I got my MBA, to challenge the wider business community to accelerate the Race to Net Zero. I am part of the marketing and communications team and give half a day a week to posting on social media on facebook, instagram, LinkedIn and twitter. CIC is looking for industry experts to work with businesses to become net zero. If you would like to join in, either to share your experience or learn from others, sign up here https://www.communityimpactchallenge.org/startnow

CIC is active across all sectors, but as an architect, my obsession is the construction industry and the challenge of reducing carbon emissions in our towns and cities. One approach is to limit the use of CO2 producing concrete and promote timber construction. Another is to prioritise upgrading existing buildings over demolition and rebuilding. To achieve this, I would like to see VAT removed from renovation and extension projects and requirements for planning permission to be removed for external insulation and replacement windows for non-listed buildings or not located in conservation areas. One challenge is to find a cost-e ective and easy way to insulate our leaky homes – which is a major issue in the UK. My ambition is to develop a simple system for home-owners to be able to install external insulation by themselves. There are so many standard housing types in the UK, that it must be possible to mass produce a panel system which does not require skilled tradespeople to install. I am thinking of hempcrete panels, timber cladding, researching possibilities of natural materials like wool or cork. Feel free to reach out to me if you would like to get involved in this project. lmori@gol.com

But what about where you work? What are you doing to save the planet? Sometimes it can be hard to start the conversation, so I have gathered together my top 5 resources and encourage you to follow the links:

1

For students and graduates: https://80000hours.org/ 80,000 hours is a non-profit organisation which provides research and support to help students and graduates switch into careers that e ectively tackle the world’s most pressing problems including climate change. There is an excellent job board and online resources for how to plan or switch careers so that you can have the most impact.

2

For Business Leaders: https://sites.google.com/view/bs4cl/toolkit

Business Schools for Climate Leadership is a partnership between 8 leading European business schools including Cambridge Judge Business School and INSEAD (where I did my MBA) joining together to help business leaders combat the climate crisis. The reasoning is that universities must play their part as institutions that produce powerful ideas and leaders. I recommend downloading the free toolkit and particularly like the second chapter on why tackling climate change is important for business.

5

For retrofit – sign up the Architect’s Journal (AJ) RetroFirst campaign https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/retrofirst

As the AJ states, the greenest building is the one that already exists. Since 2019, the journal has been campaigning to prioritise retrofitting existing buildings over demolition and rebuilding through reducing VAT on refurbishment, promoting policies via planning and building regulations and supporting whole-life carbon approach by insisting all publicly funded projects look to retrofit solutions first.

4

For architects working in RIBA Chartered architectural practices sign up to the RIBA 2030 Climate challenge which provides a stepped approach towards reaching net zero. https://www.architecture.com/about/policy/climateaction/2030-climate-challenge

Community Impact Challenge https://www. communityimpactchallenge.org/startnow

Lend your expertise to business leaders in other sectors by becoming a partner or join CIC “StartNow” campaign. Share your learning journey with other passionate climate champions, be part of the community where you will be empowered to be more e ective climate champions in your organisation. Join the private groups on LinkedIn and Whatsapp and meet the supportive community where everyone can ask questions, share experience and toolkits, and o er help. Take action and discover how to make changes at your workplace to help reduce carbon emissions.

Together, we have a chance to reduce carbon emissions and you will be able to tell your children or grandchildren how you made a di erence.