Creating sustainable education estates – the time is now. How ready are you?

How ready are you? That was the question on the table at this education-focused event to follow the launch of the Sustainable Buildings Monitor, with Jane O’Leary, ISG’s strategic advisor for education, chairing the debate.  

The virtual event, hosted in partnership with Education Estates® Online, took place on 26 May, with a panel featuring Peter Kelly of ISG, John French of the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), Tim Davies of Waterman Building Services, and Phil Kelly of Ramboll. The event attracted 130 guests from the education sector and beyond.

The findings from ISG’s latest research and insight report highlighted that education estates have some work to do in meeting 2050 net zero carbon goals. The sector is responsible for 2.1% of non-domestic building stock in the UK, but accounts for 5.7% of non-domestic energy use.

High-level report findings were reviewed, before Jane opened the floor to discuss the initiatives underway to address these figures, and what else needs to be done to meet net zero targets, ensuring present and future generations can benefit from educational spaces that truly perform.

The discussion covered suggestions around funding, data sharing, collaboration between public and private sector, legislation and incentives, a whole life approach and effective building operation.

Clearly, how we create and adapt buildings will enable the benefits of net zero carbon to be realised through design, material use and following a holistic, whole life approach. However, it is also about how the building is used; ensuring there are clear practices in place to successfully educate users on how to use, interact and learn in such buildings. Doing so will make the journey to net zero carbon that much quicker.

You can read the full event summary here.