CONSTRUCTION professionals wanting to learn more about renewables technology and innovation have been urged to secure their tickets for the upcoming Green Home Festival, which starts on August 8 as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Sustainable materials, retrofitting traditional buildings, and building green neighbourhoods are some of the topics set to be covered at the event, organised by the Construction Industry Collective Voice (CICV).
The last few tickets are still available for the week of shows, which aim to deliver practical assistance and expert advice to help equip Scotland’s construction industry with the necessary tools to to meet net zero ambitions.
The five-day event, which will be opened by Scottish Government Minister Patrick Harvie, will see the delivery of 12 in-person and virtual presentations on green topics, targeting homeowners, professionals, housing associations and local authorities.
Topics of particular interest to the industry include:
- Retrofitting a tenement – how renewable renovations can reduce heating costs and cut carbon emissions in Scotland’s traditional buildings
- Building green neighbourhoods – how offsite manufacturing can play a key role in delivering higher performing buildings
- Improving energy efficiency – a tour of a site to see a real-life example of the fabric-first approach to improving the energy efficiency of homes
- Using sustainable materials – circular, sustainable and homegrown materials such as insulation and their positive impact on a building’s embodied carbon profile.
- Taking the Swedish view – how an award-winning Stockholm housing company uses renewable technology to improve energy efficiency.
- Transforming a listed museum – how the Burrell Collection enhanced its environmental performance by replacing power, heating and lighting systems.
- Leading from within – a call to designers, engineers and managers to lead by example and help build a more sustainable and healthy environment.
Live sessions will take place at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in central Edinburgh, with six other sessions available online via webinar.
One of the organisers, Gordon Nelson, Scotland director of the Federation of Master Builders, said, “Tickets for the Green Home Festival are going fast and we have been encouraged by the interest shown by the construction industry, which shows the level of awareness by the sector of its vital role in the transition to net zero.
“The events will also help householders understand the new technology and we are aiming to make this inaugural event an annual occasion that will help to build a long-term legacy and demonstrate our commitment to greener, low-carbon solutions.”
Co-organiser John McKinney, secretary of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors, added, “We are really looking forward to sharing ideas through the Green Home Festival and we hope that as many people as possible will take the opportunity to book their place at some, or all, of the events. The climate emergency, net zero and soaring energy prices are the driving factors behind this event, and our aim is to engage the public and businesses in the global challenge, offering demonstrations and hands-on guidance.”
Details, including how to book tickets for each event, are available on the Festival’s website at greenhomefestival.co.uk.
