The construction industry’s role and responsibilities in relation to climate change, Net Zero and decarbonisation will come under the spotlight once again at the 10th anniversary show of UK Construction Week Birmingham (September 30th to October 2nd), when the UK’s biggest construction event opens its doors at the NEC.
Alongside key partnerships with National Retrofit Hub, UK Green Building Council, and the Carbon Trust, the show will see the return of UKCW’s popular Net Zero Trail which will highlight the latest eco innovations and ideas driving the construction industry, the award-winning event will host a wide range of CPD-accredited talks and workshops which focus on sustainability and climate change.
Talk highlights include:
- Net Zero or Bust: Real Strategies for Decarbonising Construction (30th September, 1.15pm, Main Stage). This panel explores how to cut whole-life carbon using sustainable materials, smarter design, and retrofit. It also looks at how the transition will be funded – through both public and private finance. Hear from experts turning ambition into action, and learn what it takes to future-proof your projects.
- From Roadmap to Reality: Turning Climate Resilience Plans into On-Site Action (30th September, 10.30am, Net Zero Hub). The UK Green Building Council’s (UKGBC) Climate Resilience Roadmap sets out a clear vision—but how do we turn that into real change on projects today? This session dives into the most actionable parts of the roadmap, from climate risk assessments and adaptive design strategies to supply chain readiness and retrofit priorities.
- Net Zero and Infrastructure Resilience: Building for a Changing Climate (1st October, 12.15pm, Net Zero Hub). This discussion explores the critical crossover between decarbonisation and climate adaptation—highlighting how civil engineers can embed whole-life carbon thinking into every stage of project delivery. The Civil Engineering Contractors’ Association (CECA) shares insights on long-term planning, material resilience, and what it takes to futureproof infrastructure investments.
- Building a Sustainable Future: Retrofitting for Climate Resilience 1st October, 2pm, Net Zero Hub. With buildings responsible for a quarter of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, retrofitting is a critical tool in the race to net-zero. This panel dives into practical strategies for transforming existing structures into climate-resilient, low-carbon assets – from smart energy upgrades to sustainable materials.
- Futureproof Housing: Building Climate Resilience into Every Home 30th September, 11.30am, Housing Action Hub. This session explores what climate resilience means in practice for housing design, planning, and delivery, and what changes are needed across policy, materials, and site strategy. Hear from experts shaping more durable, adaptable homes—and learn how to embed resilience into your next development from the ground up.
Neil Gaisford, Divisional Director, Construction, commented: “Sustainability is a key issue for the construction industry; a UN report in 2023 found that the buildings and construction sector was by far the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, accounting for a staggering 37% of global emissions.
“This cannot continue, and that’s why it’s such a major focus for UKCW, where industry leaders come to discuss and learn about the latest innovations and issues when it comes to the likes of Net Zero and decarbonisation.”
An evening to celebrate the industry’s trailblazers
The Building Innovation Awards (BIA) this year is taking place on 30th September 2025 at Birmingham’s National Conference Centre & Motorbike Museum, across the road form this years UKCW.
From digital disruptors and offsite trailblazers to materials masterminds and sustainability savants, the awards shine a spotlight on the people and projects rewriting the rulebook of the built environment.
And if that wasn’t exciting enough, 2025 sees the Building Innovation Awards join forces with UK Construction Week, one of the awards sponsors. .
To book your place or learn more about the BIA Awards contact Tim: tim@ukbusinessevents.co.uk.
Where decisions are made
With a theme of ‘where decisions are made’, UKCW Birmingham will be a bustling networking hub for all tier 1 and tier 2 contractors; housebuilders and developers; local authority and housing associations; architects; buyers and procurement experts connecting, collaborating and learning more about an ever-growing and constantly changing industry. To register for UKCW Birmingham for free, visit https://forms.reg.buzz/ukcw-birmingham-2025/cab-pr
Read next: Environmental reforms to break planning system gridlock – Build in Digital
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