The BPF Annual Conference 2022
On a sunny June morning, BPF opened the Cavendish Centre doors and welcomed members to their Annual Conference. It was slightly different to its previous iterations; this year’s focus was solely on sustainability and launching of the BPF Net Zero Pledge. Our industry is waking up to its contribution to the global climate crisis – it’s hard not to, knowing that 40% of UK Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions come from the wider built environment.
We can close our laptops at 5 o’ clock each day, but we can’t switch off from the soon to be indelible mark we’re leaving on our planet. There’s nowhere to hide from the Climate Crisis – without swift intervention, we will destroy our land and livelihood.
By 9 am the room was packed and, despite it being early, alive with chatter! It’s great being able to attend events like these again, and as someone new to the industry, I really see the value of connecting face to face with peers.
CONFERENCE CONTENT
With no time to waste, the first key speaker was Chris Stark, CEO of the UK Climate Change Committee (CCC). It’s hard to describe the spell Chris had over the theatre, but the last time I’d been in a room so tuned in, it was this year’s Eurovision Final. Figure after figure on the screen pointed to the gap between the UK’s current position and the 2050 Net Zero target. The challenge is immense!
The CCC estimated approximately £50 Billion a year is needed to decarbonise the UK economy, but where will this come from? As I learned in my panel on the politics of Net Zero, for our sector, it might not be coming from the Government any time soon.
BPF FUTURES
Surprisingly, I rarely question MPs onstage about the government’s net zero plans. Alongside Rob Wall of BPF, we probed Sian Berry of the GLA and Philip Dunne MP of the Conservative party about the role Government is playing to support net zero. Though prepared to take action within their remit, both pointed to the power the industry has to drive the market and execute plans independently.
BPF Futures, the BPF’s young professionals’ network, places great trust in their members and encourage us to participate in their events. Katie Arnold and Gafar Fashola, fellow BPF Futures Board members, delivered a fantastic piece on the 2021 Policy Congress. I am certain these two will be leaders of our industry and it’s excellent to see them flourish. They shed light upon our generation’s view on the industry and where we want to see sustainability placed on the priority list. For those in doubt, it’s at the top.
Offering mentoring, networking and industry-wide education, BPF Futures nurture the careers of tomorrow’s industry leaders. Already, I can list countless opportunities, provided by BPF Futures, that will stay with me as key moments in my early career.
BPF NET ZERO PLEDGE
Front and centre of the conference was the launch of the BPF Net Zero Pledge. A commitment by BPF member companies, it requires a meaningful commitment to tackling climate change, and a willingness to cooperate and collaborate across the sector to accelerate the transition to net zero. In return, signatories will receive expert insight, advice and support to assist with reaching net zero.
The conference highlighted the industry’s calls for clear direction; tackling greenwashing, accreditation and Science Based Targets were repeatedly raised. Providing leadership within the industry, will help BPF members accelerate the journey, and reach net zero in a robust and transparent way.
CONCLUSION
So, what now? Do we down tools and halt every development? Of course not, our industry is integral to the UK, employing over 1.2 million people and contributing over £100 Billion to the economy.
Decarbonisation won’t be instant but placing it as an absolute priority must be. By the end of the conference, I had a renewed sense of hope. We know what to do and we know what will happen if we don’t. Now it’s time for stakeholders to draw from this call to action.
