Building a More Resilient Future.
Gen B Workshop Report
27th March 2025
Contributors & Collaborators.
We’d like to thank all those who contributed their time, expertise, and insights to this workshop. Their input forms the foundation of this shared action plan and continues to shape our collective progress toward a more sustainable built environment.
Contributors & Collaborators:
Matilda Aghabeigi Architectural Technologist and IMS Environmental Manager
Elle Thompson Architect
Jonathan Mann Associate and Sustainability & Compliance Lead
Kate Jones Project Manager
Danny Davies Senior Development Manager
Nick McDonald Sustainability Consultant
Paul Duffy Business Development Manager
Joe Bosson Architect
Christopher Jelley Architect
Talia Friedland Assistant Interior Designer
Rebecca Stuart-Jack Marketing Assistant
Introduction & Purpose.
“As part of our ongoing B-Corp workshop series - co-hosted with Stride Treglown and Elliott Wood - this session brought together purpose-driven Gen B professionals to collaboratively address key sustainability challenges within the built environment. The goal of the series is to unite industry leaders, turning shared insight into practical action that drives meaningful progress in sustainable design and delivery.
This particular workshop focused on bridging the gap between sustainability theory and real-world application, outlining clear short-term (12-month) and long-term (5-year) goals. It forms part of a wider strategy to accelerate change across the sector by sharing tools, ideas, and strategies that make a real difference.
Each session in the series is designed to build momentum, with outcomes from one feeding directly into the next. Over time, this evolving workshop format aims to generate a rich, collective resource of solutions, case studies, and actionable knowledge - driving industry-wide transformation.
“Emma Lampard Sustainability Lead
Aby Dingle Marketing Manager
Discussion Topics.
The five focus areas explored in this session were strategically chosen for their growing significance in light of evolving statutory requirements, regulatory frameworks, and rising client expectations over the next five years. Each area represents a key driver of change within the built environment and aligns closely with emerging policy developments, including:
- The UK Government’s Net-Zero Strategy and updates to Part Z (embodied carbon regulation).
- Construction Playbook requirements for sustainable procurement in public projects.
- Global frameworks including LETI, RIBA 2030, and Science Based Targets.
- Increasing expectations under B-Corp, EcoVadis, and ESG disclosure standards.
- Emerging planning requirements for life cycle carbon assessments and climate resilience.
Discussion Topics:
Circular Economy.
Why It Matters:
As we face material shortages, climate goals, and rising waste levels, the reuse and recovery of materials is essential. Circular principles are becoming embedded in planning policy and frameworks like RIBA 2030 and LETI. Future legislation is expected to mandate material passports and trackable reuse strategies.
Discussion Highlights:
- Donor buildings and retained materials, especially for clients with estates.
- The need for centralised databases and resource banks to support material reuse.
- Tender specifications must require reuse considerations from the outset.
- Allowing for programming time and storage to enable salvage and reuse.
- Transparent marketplaces for second-hand materials (e.g. reclaimed steel).
- Upskilling to shift mindset: reuse should be a first step, not an afterthought.
- Need for government incentives (e.g. VAT reform) and policy support for local authorities.
- Visibility of successes to drive replication, we need to celebrate impact.
- Research other countries who have successful strategies in place.
- Research and share the contact details of collaborators on successful projects, to compile a network of specialists who can deliver upon targets.
- The need for an approach to planning applications that will allow future flexibility.
Recommended Actions:
Short-Term:
Share success stories, with the aim of creating a broad resource base including material banks, specialist contractors & consultants.
Long-Term:
Advocate for a national platform and standardised material passports.
Decarbonisation & Net-Zero.
Why It Matters:
The built environment contributes 39% of global carbon emissions. New statutory carbon budgets and mandatory reporting schemes (like SECR and Streamlined Carbon Reporting) are placing greater pressure on both operational and embodied emissions. Clients increasingly require Net-Zero strategies embedded from project inception.
Discussion Highlights:
- Internal targets must align with project briefs to demonstrate leadership and influence clients.
- Reviewing building performance gaps and using these insights to inform design.
- Carbon literacy across teams to shift behaviours and normalise low-carbon choices.
- Creating client-friendly tools and feedback loops to monitor progress.
- Supporting smaller practices and clients through funding awareness and education.
- The UK Net-Zero Carbon Building Standard serves as a key framework for promoting consistency and holding projects and clients accountable in their sustainability commitments.
Recommended Actions:
Short-Term:
Deliver carbon literacy training across teams to normalise lowcarbon choices and ensure successful delivery of sustainability targets.
Long-Term:
Advocate for stricter regulations for claiming “Net-Zero”, to be supported through accreditations.
Climate Resilience.
Why It Matters:
With climate change accelerating, resilience is no longer optional. Statutory changes under the Environmental Act and National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) updates increasingly reference future risk adaptation. Design teams must consider climate risk in building lifespans beyond 60 years.
Discussion Highlights:
- Early-stage surveys must assess climate impacts and influence mitigation design.
- Incorporating resilience into O&M manuals and long-term asset planning.
- AI and digital tools offer new ways to model future scenarios and life cycle risks.
- Clients often design for today, not 2090, cultural and financial shifts are needed.
- Greater collaboration needed across the supply chain to share climate risk data.
Recommended Actions:
Short-Term: Advocate for climate life cycle assessments (designing for 2090).
Long-Term: Push for planning mandates requiring future adaptability and resilience.
Sustainable Procurement & Resource Efficiency.
Why It Matters:
Public procurement regulations are evolving to prioritise local supply chains, carbon tracking, and social value. Sustainable procurement is a key enabler for systemic change, but only if embedded in early-stage decision-making.
Discussion Highlights:
- ESG and carbon goals must be included in tender criteria, with clear clauses.
- Contractor accountability, making sure goals are realistic and measurable.
- Regular reporting to track performance during construction.
- More consistent approach is required to defining and delivering social value and social impact. For example, using procurement.
- Vetting consultants for ethics and community engagement, not just technical skill.
Recommended Actions:
Short-Term:
Consider new approaches to the preparation of project sustainability briefs to consider a wider breadth of environmental, social and governance topics.
Long-Term:
Push for regulatory change to mandate sustainable materials and procurement in all public works.
Next Steps.
As we move forward, we are establishing a dedicated focus group composed of participants from our initial workshop. This group will play a pivotal role in shaping the direction and success of our initiatives, offering valuable feedback and guidance. The group will convene on a quarterly basis to review progress on both our short-term goals and long-term objectives, ensuring that we stay aligned with our overarching vision.
These quarterly meetings will serve as a collaborative space where members can openly discuss the challenges they’ve encountered, share insights from their respective areas of expertise, and provide constructive feedback. In addition to addressing obstacles, participants will have the opportunity to highlight advancements made in key areas, celebrate successes, and refine strategies for continued growth and development. Through this ongoing dialogue, we aim to foster a culture of continuous improvement and ensure that our efforts are collectively making a positive impact within our industry.