Decarbonisation and beyond: building smarter for a sustainable future

The aim of my session wasn’t to bombard with data or overwhelm with legislation - though the numbers and policy frameworks are undeniably important. Instead, I wanted to focus on why decarbonisation matters and how we can respond meaningfully and practically.

We’re in a decisive decade. That phrase isn’t just rhetoric. It reflects the very real window we must curb emissions and avert the worst impacts of climate change. But I also wanted to broaden the perspective. This isn't just about risk - it's about opportunity, future-proofing and resilience. As I said in the session:

“Decarbonisation isn’t just cutting carbon - it’s creating healthier places, more resilient communities, and long-term cost savings.”

The question I hear most often is: “Where do we start?” My answer is simple: start with what you know - your data, your buildings, your communities. You don’t have to solve everything at once. But you do need to act with clarity and intent.

I champion a fabric-first approach because if your buildings are leaking energy, you’re literally throwing money and emissions out the window.

One message I really hoped would land is this: efficiency before technology. It’s tempting to jump straight to heat pumps and PV arrays, but unless the fundamentals are right - airtightness, insulation, smart controls - we’re just building inefficiency into expensive systems.

I also touched on a topic that doesn’t get nearly enough attention: the co-benefits of decarbonisation. Healthier workplaces, improved air quality, tackling fuel poverty, creating green jobs -these aren’t side effects, they are outcomes that fundamentally align to wider organisational goals, delivering recognisable and tangible benefits at local leve, shaping communities and providing an environment in which we can all thrive. They are core outcomes of good decarbonisation. Yet, too often, they’re left out of business cases. If we’re smart, we use these co-benefits to unlock funding and secure stakeholder buy-in.

And yes, AI and digitalisation are changing the game - fast. I admit it can feel daunting, but it’s also exciting. These tools can give us the visibility and responsiveness we’ve lacked for too long. Systems that learn and act on our behalf are no longer futuristic - they’re essential.

I closed with this message: we all have a part to play. Decarbonisation isn’t the job of the public sector, engineers and policy-makers alone. It’s everyones - designers, funders, operators, communities. And it’s deeply personal too.

As I said, “My gran was decarbonising her home before decarbonisation had a name - using a draft excluder at her door and choosing double-glazing.” That story got a few laughs - but it landed the point: this is about everyday action as much as strategy.

We may not have all the answers yet - but we’re asking better questions and working together in ways I haven’t seen before. That gives me hope.

Want to learn more?

If you’re looking to understand how these insights could apply to your organisation or simply want to explore the topic further, get in touch with Kelly Crews. She’d be pleased to talk through your challenges and how we might help.

Prefer to listen to audio?

You can listen to the full discussion on our Building Knowledge Podcast on:

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Find out more about Willmott Dixon at UKREiiF 2025 and further event insights here.