Achieving the UK’s 2050 Net Zero Carbon (NZC) target is a challenge that every part of industry and society will need to work together to accomplish. In order for this to happen, every aspect of energy consumption must be considered and minimised. But how do we define the minimum? In the absence of definitive energy targets for buildings, the best course of action is to look at all energy flows in a building, identify how they can be minimised without interrupting business continuity and generate as much renewable energy on site. This creates a zero carbon enabled building, and the point at which the building reaches zero carbon in operation will therefore be dependent on the renewable energy content of the grid.

This joint event alongside the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), and in conjunction with multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy, Cundall, will discuss the implications of net zero carbon on new and existing office buildings.

• John Alker (UKGBC) will outline the UKGBC’s ‘Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework’ and the new energy performance targets for offices
• Paul Kenyon (Cundall) will then outline the implication on design of net zero carbon on new build offices
• Simon Wyatt (Cundall) will then look at the bigger challenge of decarbonising existing assets and creating roadmaps for net zero carbon

Followed by a brief roundtable discussion on the challenges and opportunities of delivering net zero carbon new and existing offices within Greater Manchester.