Embedding Sustainability Conference 2022 | Speaker Line-Up

The Embedding Sustainability Conference is fast approaching, presenting us with the prime opportunity to start collaborating and sharing knowledge throughout the built environment.

However, to make a difference we need to reach as many members, building engineers and wider industry professionals as possible, to ensure that we are reaching every corner of the sector. We need to act soon to give the sector the best chance to start making a positive change.

To help to tackle these challenges head on, the Embedding Sustainability Conference will provide the opportunity for you to hear from industry specialists on the current issues faced by the industry, and the steps we must implement to give the planet a fighting chance. 

Together speakers, exhibitors and an expert clinic will be discussing the climate energy impact, looking at how the construction industry needs to play its part in reducing its impact on the environment, and looking at the wider economic risks and opportunities. Take a closer look at our speaker line-up:

From Session One – Climate Energy Impact

Julie James MS, Minister for Climate Change, Welsh Government 
Welsh Climate Reduction

Julie is a committed green campaigner and environmentalist. Until she was elected as Member of the Senedd for Swansea West, Julie was a leading environmental and constitutional lawyer. She spent most of her legal career in local government, working as a policy lawyer with the London Borough of Camden before returning to Swansea to work for the City and County of Swansea.

Since being elected, Julie sat on the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee, Enterprise and Business Committee and Environment and Sustainability Committee. Julie published the Influencing the Modernisation of EU Procurement Policy Report as Chair of the Enterprise and Business Committee’s Procurement Task and Finish Group. Julie also sat as Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee’s Common Fisheries Policy Task and Finish Group.

Julie was appointed Minister for Climate Change in May 2021.

From Session Two – Reducing the Impact of Construction

Will Arnold, Head of Climate Action, Institution of Structural Engineers 
An Introduction to: Calculating and Reducing Embodied Carbon

Will leads the IStructE’s response to the climate emergency, bringing sustainability action into all aspects of its work. He is responsible for driving change within the profession, setting the minimum sustainability standards for institution members, producing sustainability publications and training to support this, and collaborating across the wider industry as it moves towards zero emissions.

Previous to his work with the institution, Will was a practising structural engineer at Arup for ten years where he was responsible for key aspects of ambitious architectural projects across the world.

Will is chair of the Construction Industry Council’s 2050 Group, and an active member of The Edge thinktank, the UK Built Environment Advisory Group, and the Engineering Advisory Group for The Structural Engineer magazine. 

From Session Three – Wider Climate Risks and Opportunities

Chris Paul, Head of Energy and Sustainability, Trowers and Hamlin 
Building for the Future: Considering the Legal Implications of Climate Change for the Built Environment 

Chris is a partner at City law firm Trowers & Hamlins LLP and heads up the firm's cross-departmental Energy & Sustainability group. He advises on a range of energy related projects including district heating, renewable energy, utility connections and EV charging infrastructure.

Chris also advises landlords on wider energy efficiency/retrofit projects, including SHDF funded projects and large-scale financed energy performance contracts. He has particular experience in structuring and negotiating large-scale district heating concessions, heat network connections and related supply and operating contracts. 

He is currently advising clients on the decarbonisation strategies for existing district heating systems, and the incorporation of suitable climate related drafting to future-proof property and contract documents. 

If we are going to reverse climate change and protect the planet for future generations, we need to embed sustainability now. By joining us this October, you will discover how you can make the changes that are so desperately needed.