A five-part series will explore how Scotland’s built environment and construction sector is to deliver the just transition to net zero.
Titled The Big Conversation, the initiative is funded by the Scottish Government and is being coordinated by the Scottish Ecological Design Association (SEDA), Built Environment-Sustainable Transformation (BE-ST), Historic Environment Scotland, Zero Waste Scotland, and the Scottish Futures Trust.
The series of events will look to bring together diverse voices to discuss how the sector will respond to the climate and biodiversity crisis. Conversations will focus on tackling the climate emergency with architects, planners, builders, trainers, researchers, unions, communities, and charities set to feature.
The themes cover the technical, financial, cultural, and ethical considerations in becoming the future; our new material culture; our future workforce; money; and delivering the future.
SEDA director Tom Morton said, “We’ve seen how support for action on climate change is accelerating, with 74% of adults in the latest Scottish household survey saying climate change is an immediate and urgent problem. That’s a call to action and while there has been a lot of work going on in the background, the built environment faces a huge and complex challenge to deliver the scale of change that’s needed.
“In the next 21 years we need to upgrade almost all the 2.9 million buildings in Scotland, re-skill and diversify a 332,250 workforce and invest maybe £100 billion into our diverse communities and businesses. But it’s not enough just to cut carbon. If we get it right, we will also eradicate fuel poverty, foster social justice and manage our internally displaced climate refugees. The Climate and Biodiversity emergencies are bringing a change in the culture of how humans make our home in Scotland and we’ll hear diverse views from our construction sector about how we can manage that change efficiently and effectively.”
Stephen Good, CEO of BE-ST, added, “The positive impact of The Big Conversation lies in the opportunity it will create for stakeholders to share perspectives, coordinate strategies, and influence policies towards achieving Scotland’s net zero targets by 2045. BE-ST is proud to support this initiative as it is bringing together diverse voices to have a national conversation.
“We recognise how important it is that we continue to facilitate discussions not only with current industry leaders but also with the up-coming working generation, ensuring that those who will play the key roles in delivering the just transition to net zero for the built environment are actively involved from the beginning.”
The Big Conversation will take place at The Engine Shed in Stirling, Historic Environment Scotland’s dedicated building conservation centre from Feb to March 2024 with five themed conversations:
Tuesday 13 February 2024: becoming the future
Friday 16 February 2024: Our New Material Culture
Wednesday 21 February 2024: Our Future Workforce
Monday 11 March 2024: Money
Monday 25 March 2024: Delivering the Future
