UK Green Finance Experts Discuss Funding for Eco-Improvements to Commercial Buildings
Vital energy-efficiency improvements to the UK’s commercial building stock – from schools and offices to leisure centres and social housing – are often put on hold due to the inability to source suitable funding. It is estimated that £5.9 trillion in finance is needed to retrofit all the commercial property in Europe to a modern standard – but many of those involved in building design, repair and retrofitting don’t know where to start in finding the funds.
The Sustainabuild Breakfast Club, held in Clerkenwell, London, on 17 October, is bringing together some of the country’s leading experts in green finance to talk about the many sources of funding that are available for retrofitting, in an event that is open to anyone with an interest in the sustainable built environment, including architects, designers, engineers, housebuilders, developers, construction managers, consultancies and local government officers.
The networking event, entitled “Unlocking Sustainable Finance in the Built Environment”, will hear expert talks from Elena Pérez Celis, Head of Policy & Public Affairs at Bankers for NetZero; Maria Dutton, Consumer Finance Lead at the Green Finance Institute and Marielle Pantin, Associate Director at Lloyds Banking Group. Between them, they will cover a multitude of public and private finance options available to update poorly performing buildings, including:
UK Government initiatives such as the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme
Public-Private Partnerships, including case studies of successful collaborations
Green loans and mortgages for both commercial and residential buildings, and the sustainable finance market
Local Climate Bonds that can provide councils with over £8.5 billion in low-cost, long-term funding for local environmental and social impact projects
Property Linked Finance and its potential to mobilise up to £70 billion in private capital in the UK to upgrade inefficient buildings.
In addition, the event will include opportunities to ask question, valuable networking opportunities, CPD points and, of course, coffee and pastries.
Matt Colgan, Director of Sustainabuild, said: “This event will give our growing network of professionals interested in creating a more sustainable built environment a valuable opportunity to learn about how available funding can support their business and eco-goals. Each of our guest speakers is an expert in green finance, so we’re really looking forward to hearing more about how these funds can be accessed and used to improve commercial buildings across the UK.”
Marielle Pantin, Associate Director, Lloyds Banking Group, adds: “The conversation around sustainable financing is an important one in helping organisations in the built environment achieve their sustainability ambitions. This event is a chance to bring people in the public and private sectors together and bridge the gap between finance and the property industry. Through unlocking finance, we can pave the way for a greener future, ensuring that our urban spaces are not only functional but also sustainable and inclusive for all.”
The Sustainabuild Breakfast Club will be held in The Market Building, Clerkenwell, on Thursday 17 October from 8.30am to 10.30am. Tickets cost £40+vat, or £20+vat for Sustainabuild VIP members. The event takes place each month, with the focus on a different sustainability topic. For more information visit www.sustainabuilduk.com, or to book a place, https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sustainabuild-breakfast-club-london-tickets-1024717616977
https://www.colliers.com/en-gb/research/202110-esg-at-a-tipping-point