Building sustainably: the road to net zero: Recent Episodes
RPS Group
Welcome to Building sustainably: the road to net zero, a podcast by RPS. Achieving net zero requires a transformational shift in the way we plan, design, and build. But as the 2050 target edges closer, significant challenges lie ahead. In this podcast series, we aim to tackle the key issues head-on. We’ll explore real-life case studies and provide actionable advice on how to define, design, and manage net zero projects and programmes.
In this series, we focus on the decarbonisation challenge facing owners and operators of large property estates. A challenge compounded by ageing infrastructure, limited funding, and competing pressures.
Join The Building Sustainably Podcast team for an essential wrap-up of Series 2 most significant insights and developments in sustainable construction. This episode brings together key moments from conversations with industry leaders who are reshaping how we approach development, from innovative local engagement strategies to tackling the challenges of net zero construction.Throughout the year, we've explored crucial topics including biodiversity net gain implementation, carbon reduction in industrial buildings, the evolution of ESG strategies, and the critical role of community engagement in sustainable development. Our guests have shared practical insights and forward-thinking approaches that are transforming the construction industry.The Building Sustainably Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
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In this episode of The Building Sustainably Podcast, Mike Leonard, CEO of Building Alliance, joins Ben Stockdale to discuss the critical transition to net zero in the construction industry. They explore the challenges of building safety, the importance of educating consumers about new technologies, the role of net zero neighborhoods, and the need for skilled labor in the evolving landscape of sustainable housing.
Mike is a Visiting Professor in Construction and Manufacturing at Birmingham City University. With vast industry experience, he points out the importance of building safety and environmental sustainability, particularly in light of past tragedies such as the Grenfell Tower fire. His work at the Centre for Future Homes focuses on innovative housing solutions and the integration of new technologies, including heat pumps, to improve energy efficiency.
The Building Sustainably Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
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In this episode of The Building Sustainably Podcast, Tunde Agoro, Director of ESG and Sustainable Business at RPS, joins James Bowman to delve into the evolving landscape of ESG practices and the critical role of sustainability in organizations. Tunde shares how ESG went from add-on to business essential, effective approaches to kickstart your ESG strategy or career, and the role of AI in enhancing ESG efforts.
Tunde is a highly respected leader in ESG and sustainability. He leads the development and implementation of ESG policies, strategies, and goals at both organizational and project levels. Passionate about collaboration, Tunde works closely with clients and partners to create long-term value and build socially and environmentally responsible portfolios.
With nearly 20 years of experience in building design, construction, and commercial real estate, he is a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) and Sustainability Consultant with deep expertise in sustainability. Before joining RPS, Tunde honed his skills and expertise at companies such as Hydrock, Hoare Lea, AECOM, and more.
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In this episode of The Building Sustainably Podcast, Martin Scott, Senior Director at RPS, joins Ben Stockdale to explore the intersection of the British bird population and renewable energy development. Martin discusses how the industry has evolved to address the impact of wind turbines, the role of advanced technology in site assessments, and the balance between renewable energy expansion and wildlife conservation.
Martin is an environmental professional with over 25 years of experience across offshore wind, road, rail, solar, nuclear, and tidal projects. During his career, he has held roles like Quantity Surveyor at Baker Mallett and McBains Cormack, Conservation Officer at RSPB, Ornithological Manager at Atmos Consulting, and Managing Director at HiDef Aerial Surveying.
The Building Sustainably Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
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In this episode of The Building Sustainably Podcast, Chris Patmore and Jonathan Morley, Technical Directors at RPS, join Emily McGee to unpack the sequential testing in flood risk assessment. They discuss the evolution of sequential testing from the Flood and Water Management Act, its legal implications, and practical applications in flood risk management. Chris and Jonathan also share real-world case studies that highlight the importance of collaboration among engineers, planners, and local authorities.
Chris is a Technical Director with over 30 years of experience specialising in flood risk and sustainable drainage design for major infrastructure projects. His expertise spans residential development, rail, highways, petrochemical, and energy installations. Chris has experience in traffic studies, feasibility design, and environmental analysis of hydrology and traffic, particularly in performing NPPF sequential test analysis in collaboration with project planners.
Jonathan is an experienced project manager and hydrology expert who has authored numerous Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), Flood Risk Assessments (FRAs), and Surface Water Management Plans. His work adheres to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), Planning Practice Guidance (PPG), and SuDS guidance for various commercial, industrial, residential, and energy developments across the UK.
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In this episode of The Building Sustainably Podcast, host Emily McGee welcomes John Clayton, Senior Director at RPS, and Rachel Thompson, Sustainability Coordinator at RPS, to explore the critical role of whole life cycle carbon assessments (WLCAs) in industrial buildings. They discuss how WLCAs provide a comprehensive view of both embodied and operational carbon over a building’s lifespan and emphasize their importance in achieving the UK's 2050 net zero target.
John and Rachel share insights into the carbon footprint of logistics and industrial facilities, key carbon contributors like concrete and steel, and the impact of industry standards like RICS on assessing and reporting carbon emissions. They highlight how early assessment, collaboration among stakeholders, and advancements in materials can significantly reduce carbon emissions across the building lifecycle.
Don’t miss out on this vital investigation into how WLCAs can bring about a greener future and tune in now!
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In this episode of The Building Sustainably Podcast, Conall Boland, Sustainability Lead at RPS Europe, joins James Bowman to dive into the transformative role of green concrete in reducing the carbon footprint of the construction industry. They discuss why concrete is a major contributor to carbon emissions, Ireland's plan toward low-carbon concrete and sustainable construction, and how smart procurement can transform concrete standards.
Conall leads the sustainability team for the RPS Republic of Ireland business. With 12 years of experience as a Board Member and Deputy Chairperson of An Bord Pleanála, he brings a wealth of knowledge in navigating the complexities of sustainability and tackling climate change. His expertise spans energy, transport, water, resource management, governance, and change management.
The Building Sustainably Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
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In this episode of The Building Sustainably Podcast, Mike Barker, Operational Director of Ecology at RPS Group, joins James Bowman to explore the role of green roofs in achieving Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) targets in urban areas. They discuss how the 10% biodiversity uplift rule is shaping development across England, what is involved in planning and maintaining effective green roof developments, why every developer should start early on when integrating biodiversity and ecological considerations into their design, and the future of Biodiversity Net Gain.
Mike offers expert ecological advice based on vast experience in environmental and sustainability projects. He has a strong background in line management, business development, and financial management. Additionally, Mike has held Director-level roles with the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, serving on the Board for over a decade and acting as Company Secretary from 2007 to 2012.
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In this episode of The Building Sustainably Podcast, Chris Trunkfield, Senior Design Executive at Moda, joins Ben Stockdale to explore the critical role of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies in sustainable development, including some key trends that shape ESG in construction and Moda's approach to sustainability.
In his role, Chris looks after design across all of Moda's projects and portfolios. An architect by trade, he now helps drive the company's ESG standards and agenda within the business. Before this, Chris was a Project Architect at SimpsonHaugh, an RIBA Part II Architectural Assistant at Sixtwo Architects, and an RIBA Part I Architectural Assistant at Blackett-Ord Conservation Architecture and Engineering.
The Building Sustainably Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
If you are interested in joining The Building Sustainably Podcast, please complete this form fame.so/rps-guest
The Building Sustainably Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
If you are interested in joining The Building Sustainably Podcast, please complete this form fame.so/rps-guest
Welcome to an exciting episode of "Building Sustainably: The Road to Net Zero." Today, we embark on a journey through some of the most enlightening and influential moments shared by our esteemed guests. In their discussions, they provided invaluable insights and actionable guidance on the process of defining, designing, and effectively managing net zero projects and programs.
Join us as we delve into a treasure trove of wisdom with Sean Hanson, CEO of IMPOWER Consulting, Jonas Hamann, Head of Business Development at Danfoss, Jon Daley, Asset Sustainability and Data Manager at Magenta Living, Phil Marsden, Director of Project Management at Muse Developments, Liz Brown, Senior Project Manager at RPS Group, Maggie Bosanquet, Low Carbon Economic Development Team Leader at Durham County Council, and Dr. Roddy Yarr, Executive Lead of Sustainability at the University of Strathclyde.
Episode resources:
- Sean Hanson on LinkedIn
- Sean Hanson on Twitter
- IMPOWER Consulting Website
- Jonas Hamann on LinkedIn
- Danfoss Website
- Jon Daley on LinkedIn
- Magenta Living Website
- Phil Marsden on LinkedIn
- Muse Developments Website
- Liz Brown on LinkedIn
- RPS Group Website
- Maggie Bosanquet on LinkedIn
- Durham County Council Website
- Dr. Roddy Yarr on LinkedIn
- Dr. Roddy Yarr on Twitter
- University of Strathclyde Website
If you enjoyed this episode, then please either:
* Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
* Follow on Spotify
* Instructions on how to rate and review the show can be found here
Previous guests include: Sean Hanson of IMPOWER Consulting, Jonas Hamann of Danfoss, Jon Daley of Magenta Living, and Phil Marsden of Muse Developments.
Check out our three most downloaded episodes:
- Changing the World Starts by Changing Your Behaviours with Sean Hanson, Chief Executive Officer of IMPOWER Consulting
- Re-Engineering Energy Efficiency with Jonas Hamann, Head of Business Development at Danfoss
- Social Housing Retrofit Strategies and Best Practices with Jon Daley, Asset Sustainability and Data Manager at Magenta Living
Building sustainably: the road to net zero is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
If you are interested in joining Building sustainably: The Road to Net Zero as a guest, please complete this form fame.so/rps-guest
In this episode of Building sustainably: the road to net zero, Dr. Roddy Yarr, Executive Lead of Sustainability at the University of Strathclyde, joins Chris Lavery to share his strategy for developing and delivering initiatives to address the university’s position on net zero, including the £20m Combined Heating and Power scheme project he successfully delivered at the main campus and his role in the Glasgow City Innovation District.
Dr. Yarr has over thirty years of experience in sustainability, climate change, and social responsibility. He has played a leading role in the University of Strathclyde's initiatives in achieving net zero goals, most notably, a £20m Combined Heating and Power scheme to reduce the carbon footprint of the university’s main campus.
Previously, Dr. Yarr worked as a Sustainability Manager at the University of St Andrews, where he oversaw the sustainability policy and development of strategy, including the twelve MW Kenly Wind Farm and six MW Biomass plant.
Episode resources:
* Dr. Roddy Yarr on LinkedIn
* Dr. Roddy Yarr on Twitter
* University of Strathclyde Website
If you enjoyed this episode, then please either:
* Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
* Follow on Spotify
* Instructions on how to rate and review the show can be found here
Previous guests include: Sean Hanson of IMPOWER Consulting, Jonas Hamann of Danfoss, Jon Daley of Magenta Living, and Phil Marsden of Muse Developments.
Check out our three most downloaded episodes:
- Changing the World Starts by Changing Your Behaviours with Sean Hanson, Chief Executive Officer of IMPOWER Consulting
- Re-Engineering Energy Efficiency with Jonas Hamann, Head of Business Development at Danfoss
- Social Housing Retrofit Strategies and Best Practices with Jon Daley, Asset Sustainability and Data Manager at Magenta Living
Building sustainably: the road to net zero is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
In this episode of Building sustainably: the road to net zero, Simon Bourke, Building Services Lead UK and Healthcare Lead at RPS, joins Chris Lavery to discuss the challenge of retrofitting an existing building stock to achieve net zero carbon and how to balance investment with cost and operational disruption to reduce carbon emissions in hospitals.
Simon has more than thirty years of experience in the building services industry, working within multi-disciplinary design teams on various healthcare projects. His experience includes initial concept and detailed design, construction monitoring, handover, and post-occupancy evaluation for both new builds and refurbishments. Prior to RPS, Simon worked as the Director of Healthcare at Buro Happold.
Key Highlights:
0:15 - 1:15 - Retrofitting an Existing Building Stock - One of the articles Simon has written for RPS discusses the challenge of retrofitting from an existing building stock to achieve net zero carbon. It requires holistic and strategic thinking and significant investment and time to implement.
* 1:21 - 3:39 - Retrofitting a Hospital to Get to Net Zero Carbon - Simon did an exercise for NHS Improvement, which showed that even with exemplary design principles, it is difficult to get a newly designed building to net zero carbon. Hospitals are large users of energy, so to get to net zero carbon, they need to generate a large amount of on-site renewable energy, which is very difficult to achieve as you need a lot of physical space.
* 3:39 - 6:43 - Retrofitting Challenges for Hospitals - One of the easiest ways to reduce carbon emissions is to move away from using gas for heating water. In the case of a hospital, generating heat and hot water from electricity could double the maximum electrical demand and electrical supply intake requirements for that building. This would require large-scale, costly, and time-consuming electrical supply upgrades. There's a capital cost challenge, but there's also a long-term operational cost challenge.
* 13:15 - 14:27 - Balancing Net Zero Carbon Target With Investment Shortfall -* Simon states that if a newly designed building can't achieve net zero carbon without employing external measures of setting or importing green energy, then a hospital or other type of building has an even greater challenge. So for existing buildings, the government should set challenging but achievable targets for carbon reduction and allow other measures to be used to balance the visual carbon.
Episode resources:
* Simon Bourke on LinkedIn
* RPS Website
If you enjoyed this episode, then please either:
* Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
* Follow on Spotify
Instructions on how to rate and review the show can be found herePrevious guests include: Sean Hanson of IMPOWER Consulting, Jonas Hamann of Danfoss, Jon Daley of Magenta Living, and Phil Marsden of Muse Developments.
Check out our three most downloaded episodes:
- Changing the World Starts by Changing Your Behaviours with Sean Hanson, Chief Executive Officer of IMPOWER Consulting
- Re-Engineering Energy Efficiency with Jonas Hamann, Head of Business Development at Danfoss
- Social Housing Retrofit Strategies and Best Practices with Jon Daley, Asset Sustainability and Data Manager at Magenta Living
Building sustainably: the road to net zero is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
In this episode of Building sustainably: the road to net zero, Maggie Bosanquet, Low Carbon Economic Development Team Leader at Durham County Council, joins Chris Lavery to discuss Durham County's sustainability strategy and climate change initiatives.
Maggie is currently responsible for a team of twenty officers delivering renewable energy and energy efficiency projects across the Council’s land and buildings and for developing and delivering the County-wide Climate Emergency Response. She has been an environmental campaigner since 1989 and has led the Council’s Sustainability Team for over twenty-five years, supporting local, national, and international partnership initiatives.
Durham County Council represents one of the biggest councils in the UK. Maggie and her team are working across multiple sectors to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and tackle climate change. Today, Maggie shares more about her team's initiatives to achieve these goals.
Episode resources:
* Maggie Bosanquet on LinkedIn
* Durham County Council Website
If you enjoyed this episode, then please either:
* Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
* Follow on Spotify
* Instructions on how to rate and review the show can be found here
Previous guests include: Sean Hanson of IMPOWER Consulting, Jonas Hamann of Danfoss, Jon Daley of Magenta Living, and Phil Marsden of Muse Developments.
Check out our three most downloaded episodes:
- Changing the World Starts by Changing Your Behaviours with Sean Hanson, Chief Executive Officer of IMPOWER Consulting
- Re-Engineering Energy Efficiency with Jonas Hamann, Head of Business Development at Danfoss
- Social Housing Retrofit Strategies and Best Practices with Jon Daley, Asset Sustainability and Data Manager at Magenta Living
Building sustainably: the road to net zero is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
In this episode of Building sustainably: the road to net zero, Liz Brown, Senior Project Manager at RPS Group, joins Chris Lavery to discuss the successful retrofitting of Park Hill in Sheffield City, a project that focuses on sustainability and retentionist strategy.
Before RPS Group, Liz worked at Pozzoni Architecture for over twelve years as an Associate Architect and an Assistant Architect at Edmund Kirby. Liz has excellent project management skills from inception to the completion of a building project.
Park Hill is a post-war housing estate in Sheffield developed in the late 1950s/early 1960s. The estate is located on a steep slope adjacent to Sheffield Town Centre and was designed by two architects from the Sheffield City Council, inspired by Unite D’habitation, a modernist residential utopia located in Marseilles and designed by Le Corbusier.
Episode resources:
* Liz Brown on LinkedIn
* RPS Group Website
* Alumno Group Website
If you enjoyed this episode, then please either:
* Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
* Follow on Spotify
* Instructions on how to rate and review the show can be found here
Previous guests include: Sean Hanson of IMPOWER Consulting, Jonas Hamann of Danfoss, Jon Daley of Magenta Living, and Phil Marsden of Muse Developments.
Check out our three most downloaded episodes:
- Changing the World Starts by Changing Your Behaviours with Sean Hanson, Chief Executive Officer of IMPOWER Consulting
- Re-Engineering Energy Efficiency with Jonas Hamann, Head of Business Development at Danfoss
- Social Housing Retrofit Strategies and Best Practices with Jon Daley, Asset Sustainability and Data Manager at Magenta Living
Building sustainably: the road to net zero is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
In this episode of Building sustainably: the road to net zero, Phil Marsden, Director of Project Management at Muse Developments, joins Chris Lavery to discuss how Muse Developments sets a new standard for sustainable development.
As the Director of Project Management at Muse Developments, Phil Marsden works with landowners and the public sector to achieve sustainable regeneration. He has more than twenty-two years of experience in the construction industry, including nearly six years as a quantity surveyor for Gleeds.
After earning a BSc in Quantity Surveying from the University of Salford, Phil spent four years at Harvey & CO as a Quantity Surveyor before briefly moving to WT Partnership in the same role. After Gleeds, he became an Associate Partner at DBK before joining Muse Developments.
Episode resources:
* Phil Marsden on LinkedIn
* Muse Developments Website
If you enjoyed this episode, then please either:
* Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
* Follow on Spotify
* Instructions on how to rate and review the show can be found here
Building sustainably: the road to net zero is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
In this episode of Building sustainably: the road to net zero, Jon Daley, Asset Sustainability and Data Manager at Magenta Living, joins Chris Lavery to share successful retrofit strategies to achieve vibrant homes, lives, and neighbourhoods.
Jon is a highly driven, energetic, and analytical leader with a thirteen-year proven track record in providing strategic and operational insight within the housing industry. Some of his previous roles include Asset Management Performance Manager at Riverside, Contracts Technical Officer at Knowsley Council, and Housing Officer at The Regenda Group.
Today, Jon talks more about what a retrofit programme is and how to measure it, decarbonization culture, and his holistic approach to reaching the 2050 net-zero target.
Episode resources:
* Jon Daley on LinkedIn
* Magenta Living Website
* Host Chris Lavery on LinkedIn
* RPS Group Website
If you enjoyed this episode, then please either:
* Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
* Follow on Spotify
* Instructions on how to rate and review the show can be found here
Building sustainably: the road to net zero is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
In this episode of Building sustainably: the road to net zero, Jonas Hamann, Head of Business Development at Danfoss, joins Chris Lavery to share the technology behind an innovative, reliable, and green heating solution for buildings.
Danfoss is a Danish multinational company based in Denmark that engineers energy-efficient technologies to build a better future. Jonas leads the company's go-to-market strategy and business development. Before Danfoss, Jonas worked at Slesvigsk Parti, GE, and Mazars.
Today, Jonas talks about heat networks and how Danfoss repurposes heat waste and develops innovative heat energy technologies.
Episode resources:
* Jonas Hamann on LinkedIn
* Danfoss Website
* Host Chris Lavery on LinkedIn
* RPS Group Website
If you enjoyed this episode, then please either:
* Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
* Follow on Spotify
* Instructions on how to rate and review the show can be found here
Building sustainably: the road to net zero is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
In this episode of Building sustainably: the road to net zero, Sean Hanson, Chief Executive Officer of IMPOWER Consulting, joins Chris Lavery to share how behavioural science can be the answer to solving complex social and climate-related problems.
Sean is an experienced executive director who has worked in and around the UK public sector for over thirty years. He joined Local Partnerships in 2016 from Serco as Managing Director of Citizen Services. Early in his career, Sean spent twelve years at Camden Council, followed by spells at Fareham Council, Liberata, HBS/Mouchel, then Serco.
Episode resources:
* Sean Hanson on LinkedIn
* Sean Hanson on Twitter
* IMPOWER Consulting Website
* Host Chris Lavery on LinkedIn
* RPS Group Website
If you enjoyed this episode, then please either:
* Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
* Follow on Spotify
* Instructions on how to rate and review the show can be found here
Building sustainably: the road to net zero is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Welcome to Building sustainably: The Road to Net Zero, a podcast by RPS.
We host in-depth discussions with the UK’s leading experts, covering how to best navigate the various stages of the project lifecycle for owners and operators of large property estates on the road to achieving Net Zero by 2050.
Building sustainably: The Road to Net Zero is brought to you by RPS.
To find out more about RPS and how we can help you deliver projects that matter in urbanisation, natural resources, and sustainability, visit RPSgroup dot com. And then make sure to search for “Building sustainably: The Road to Net Zero” in Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts and click follow so you don’t miss any future episodes.
On behalf of the team here at RPS, thanks for listening.