The CCC has made the challenge plain: the UK must adapt faster or face mounting threats to people, places and the economy. UKGBC’s Climate Resilience Roadmap shows how that shift can be made in practice, with joined-up action across the built environment and government. The challenge is serious, but it is not beyond us if we choose to act now.”

The Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) latest assessment of climate risk is a clear and urgent signal that the UK must accelerate adaptation now. Climate impacts are already being felt across the country, and the report makes plain that higher temperatures, flooding, drought and cascading infrastructure risks will intensify unless government, business and communities act at pace. UKGBC strongly welcomes the CCC’s focus on practical, evidence-based action, and the emphasis on clear targets, delivery plans and accountability.

This message echoes what UKGBC has been saying through our Climate Resilience Roadmap, which sets out how the built environment can move from awareness of climate risk to assessment, prioritisation and implementation. We have long argued that resilience cannot sit in isolation: it must be integrated with decarbonisation, nature, health and wellbeing, and long-term value. The CCC’s report reinforces that approach, particularly in relation to homes, infrastructure, public services, and the need to protect the most vulnerable.

On the built environment, the CCC highlights the need for new buildings to be fit for a changing climate, for existing homes and assets to be retrofitted and upgraded, for better preparedness, and for cooling and water resilience to be addressed at scale. UKGBC’s Climate Resilience Roadmap supports exactly this shift: from broad ambition to the practical, site, portfolio, and community-level decisions needed to reduce risk and deliver more resilient places.

For industry, the message is straightforward. Climate resilience needs to become a core part of investment, design, planning, procurement and asset management. That means acting now on heat risk, flood risk, water scarcity and infrastructure interdependencies, and using the tools, standards and methods already available to make adaptation routine rather than exceptional.

For government, the priority is equally clear. The CCC sets out the case for stronger objectives, measurable targets, delivery plans and monitoring, backed by regulation, standards and investment. UKGBC support this direction and would add that policy must enable joined-up action across departments and sectors, so that resilience measures are not delivered piecemeal. Planning policy, building standards, infrastructure development, and funding programmes all need to reflect the climate risks we already face, and the more severe future risks that are now unavoidable.

There is a strong case for greater emphasis on nature-based solutions, passive cooling, flood risk management and long-term asset maintenance, all of which can deliver resilience and wider co-benefits. The CCC’s analysis shows that many adaptation actions are cost-effective today, and that delay only increases cost and harm. UKGBC believes this should galvanise a shift in both mindset and delivery: adaptation is no longer a future issue, but an immediate investment in safety, wellbeing and economic stability.

The CCC’s report and UKGBC’s Climate Resilience Roadmap both make the same case: adaptation needs to move from principle to practical delivery. The UK needs clear leadership, practical delivery and sustained investment to create a well-adapted built environment. The opportunity here is to reduce harm, protect lives and livelihoods, and create places that resilient, inclusive and fit for the climate reality we are already entering.

UK Climate Resilience Roadmap

This Roadmap sets out a vision for a climate resilient built environment, sharing clear recommendations for the industry and policy, and next steps needed to increase the climate resilience of our built environment.

Learn more

Policy & Advocacy

Since 2007, we have been bringing together some of the most influential leaders in politics, business, local authorities, civil service and NGOs to accelerate action for a green built environment.

Learn more

The post UKGBC responds to the CCC’s ‘A Well Adapted UK’ report appeared first on UKGBC.

• Connect & Collaborate: Build relationships that drive real-world change.
• Learn & Grow: Empower your people. Future-proof your organisation.
• Lead & Influence: Shape the future of the built environment.

Explore the opportunities included with your membership below. Each links to more details, and our team is always ready to help at membership@ukgbc.org. 

Membership gives you the tools, networks, and knowledge to drive impact, without extra cost for these core opportunities. If you’d like to learn more about the full range of benefits available within your membership, join our 45-minute webinar, Making the Most of Your Membership, on 13 April from 12:00-12:45.

Connect & Collaborate

Join UKGBC Forums: Engage with peers, share insights, and tackle emerging challenges in a trusted, collaborative environment. These forums are designed to help you co-create solutions with industry leaders:��

• Climate Resilience and Adaptation Forum. Sign up here.����
• Energy and Carbon Forum. Sign up here.��
• Resource Use Forum. Sign up here��
• Keystone Forum. Sign up here.
• Local Authority Retrofit Forum. Sign up here.

Explore all upcoming events here: /events/����

KEY AREAS OF WORK

We are working towards a built environment that enables people and the planet to thrive, using sustainability as a catalyst to drive the transformational shift in the way the built environment works that is needed to meet industry ambition and targets.

Get Involved

Attend Insights on Optimising and Retrofitting Non-Domestic Buildings Launch (Online) | 14 April, 10:00-11:00. Register Here

Whole Life Carbon Framework Launch (Online) | 26 May, 10:00-11:00, Register Here

Innovation in Commercial Retrofit: A Live Project Demonstrator (Online) | 16 June, 16:00-17:00, Register Here

Insights into UK Resilience: Energy Infrastructure and Distribution Systems ( London) | 23 June, 08:00-10:00, Register Here

Climate Resilience in Action: One Year on from the UK Climate Resilience Roadmap (Online) | 24 June, 10:00-11:00, Register Here

 

Learn & Grow

BUILD KNOWLEDGE

Kickstart your sustainability journey with bite-sized, jargon-free learning that builds confidence and foundations. 

Ideal for: Early-career professionals, those new to sustainability, or anyone seeking a foundational understanding of sustainability, resilience, and carbon reduction in the built environment. 

Benefits: Build confidence, understand key sustainability concepts quickly, and establish a solid foundation to inform your work. 

Get Involved

• UKGBC Sustainability Essentials for the Built Environment email course (Email course) – Eight short, easy-to-read modules introducing core sustainability topics.��

• Sustainable Thinking: A Beginner’s Guide for the Built Environment. (Online course) – Develop foundational knowledge in this interactive, accessible course.��

• Building for a Changing Climate: Foundations of Adaptation (Online course) – Explore the fundamentals of resilience and adaptation in four self-paced modules.��

• Carbon Reduction Essentials in the Built Environment (Online course) – Learn how the built environment impacts climate change, and how sustainable buildings can drive a low-carbon future.��

DELIVER ACTION

Move from learning to doing with immersive masterclasses and hands-on workshops that empower you to drive impact. 

Ideal for: Mid-level to senior professionals, sustainability champions, design/project teams, owners, and ESG practitioners ready to transform knowledge into action. 

Benefits: Gain in-demand technical skills, develop strategies you can implement immediately, and collaborate with peers to operationalise sustainable outcomes. 

Get Involved

• Biodiversity Net Gain Masterclass – London | 28 May
• Scaling Solutions Workshops: Materials & Supply Chain (8 June), Building Adaptation & Resilience (9 June) and Electrification & Energy Systems (29 June)
• A Practical Guide to Engaging Your Supply Chain – Webinar | 15 June

Lead & Influence

Learning designed to spark transformational change. UKGBC’s leadership programmes equip built environment professionals at every career stage to take bold action, challenge the status quo, and drive the systemic change our industry needs. 

Get Involved

Recalibrate – An exclusive enrichment programme for C-Suite and Board members. Shape your leadership for a net zero, climate-resilient future and gain unique insights into leading systemic change at the highest level.��

Runs July-November | full details here.��

UKGBC Leadership Collaboration Cafe and Networking Social – UKGBC Leadership Alumni are invited to connect and explore the leadership skills and behaviours needed for a sustainable built environment.

22 April, 16:00-19:00, London | Sign up here.��

Future Leaders Showcase & Alumni Summer Gathering – Join us to celebrate Future Leaders 2026 Programme finale. Hear from our forward-thinking change-makers, as they embrace their agency to transform the sustainability of the built environment. Then enjoy the start of the summer by connecting with peers across the industry over drinks and networking into the evening.

4 June, 16:00-18:30, London | .��

Re-imagining: Sustainable Finance – UKGBC convenes finance, business, academia & sustainability leaders to reimagine a thriving, sustainable financial system and how to achieve it.

30 June, 16:00-20:00, London | Register Here

The post Membership Opportunities (April 2026-June 2026) appeared first on UKGBC.

Why this report matters

Despite rapid innovation across materials, digital technologies, construction systems and business models, many solutions��remain��underutilised. Fragmented decision-making, risk-averse cultures, misaligned procurement��models��and limited access to scale-up finance continue to hold back progress.��

Without faster adoption, the industry risks higher long-term costs, missed opportunities, and slower progress towards net zero and more resilient places.��This report focuses on what needs to change to move from isolated innovation to system-wide implementation.��

Drawing on insights from a broad range of stakeholders, built environment practitioners and industry experts, the report identifies seven key themes that influence whether solutions scale: organisational readiness; adopter needs and solution; finance and business models; certification and verification; risk, insurance and warranties; delivery and implementation; outcomes and knowledge sharing.

Across these themes, the report sets out 77 actionable enablers to support organisations in accelerating adoption.��

Download the report here

Scaling Initiative Partners

Thank you to our Scaling Initiative Partners for their generous support:

Solutions & Innovation

The built environment is both a major contributor to the climate and ecological crises, and a key part of the solution. At UKGBC we recognise that the scale and urgency of these challenges cannot be address with business as usual, but radical transformation. This requires innovation in technology, business models and ways of operating, and ensuring these innovative solutions scale at the pace required.

Learn more

The post Scaling Sustainable Solutions for the Built Environment: Barriers & Enablers appeared first on UKGBC.

The Embodied Ecological Impact Forum brings together organisations across the value chain to explore how decisions on materials and procurement can reduce ecological harm while enabling more efficient, joined up approaches to sustainability.

Join this UKGBC gathering to hear directly from forum members as they share key insights, case studies, ongoing challenges and early successes. This is a chance to learn what is working, what still needs to shift and contribute your perspective on what comes next.

Host

Macarena Cárdenas – Senior Advisor: Resilience and Nature, UKGBC

Agenda

• Welcome and context
• Ideas, case studies and progress from forum member organisations
• Open mic: a collective space for share ideas, questions and next steps
• Drinks and informal networking

The post Embodied Ecological Impacts: From Insight to Action appeared first on UKGBC.

Today, we launched the Framework for a Nature Positive Built Environment, providing the sector long-needed clarity on how to translate the global ambition to halt and reverse nature loss into practical, scalable action.

The launch comes at a moment of escalating urgency. The UK Government’s National Security Assessment has identified biodiversity loss and ecosystem breakdown as a national security risk, with implications for economic stability, supply chains, food security and community resilience. Against this backdrop, the role of the built environment in protecting and restoring nature is one of the front-line solutions to the crisis.

While “nature positive” is now a widely recognised goal, the sector has lacked a shared, credible definition and a consistent approach to delivery. This has led to fragmented action and uncertainty about what good looks like in practice. The new Framework addresses this gap, aligning the built environment with the global nature-positive goal and setting out clear pathways for action across organisational strategy, asset management and development activity.

The Framework positions nature as a core consideration for resilience, value creation and long-term asset, financial and operational performance. From land use and construction to supply chains and materials, the built environment both depends on and impacts nature. As climate and nature risks intensify, ecosystems are now recognised as critical infrastructure – they provide essential services – reducing flood and heat risk, strengthening supply chains and supporting health and wellbeing.

Simon McWhirter, Chief Executive of UKGBC, said:

“Nature is the very foundation that underpins our economy, our safety and our wellbeing, not just an optional extra for the built environment. The impacts of nature loss are already visible in rising operational and insurance costs, disrupted supply chains and mounting climate risk.

This Framework gives the sector the clarity it has been missing. It sets out what ‘nature-positive’ means in practical terms and how organisations can act now, embedding nature into decision-making, investment and delivery, rather than treating it as a nice-to-have.

Nature-positive action also drives enhanced finance and value. There is a growing opportunity to mobilise investment at scale into homes and places that work better for people, nature and the economy.”

Yetunde Abdul, Director of Industry Transformation at UKGBC, said:

“This Framework is designed to support real-world decision-making across the built environment. It shows how organisations can embed nature-positive outcomes into strategy, governance and investment, while also guiding project teams through the practical actions needed at asset and development level.

By taking a whole-lifecycle approach, the Framework helps the sector move beyond isolated efforts towards consistent, credible action that restores and regenerates nature at scale, while complementing greater resilience and adaptive capacity overall.”

What the framework delivers

The framework provides a common foundation for credible and consistent action, including:

A clear, sector-specific definition of what nature-positive means for the built environment

Actionable pathways across the full asset lifecycle, from organisational strategy and governance to planning, design, construction, operation and end-of-life

Alignment with global and UK frameworks and standards, including TNFD, SBTN and ACT-D, supporting credible target-setting and disclosure

Practical guidance that can be embedded into organisational strategy and asset and development delivery across the full lifecycle

A pathway that moves beyond minimising harm to actively restoring and regenerating nature

It supports action at both organisational level and at asset and development level, guiding teams to avoid irreversible harm, minimise impacts and deliver net-positive outcomes for nature.

The Framework was co-developed by UKGBC and an expert Task Group of 33 organisations from across the built environment, supported by wider industry engagement through workshops and formal consultation. The result is a robust, credible and sector-owned approach designed to support leadership, reduce greenwashing risk and enable action at any starting point.

Ģ��ֱ�� calling on developers, asset owners, designers, consultants and the wider supply chain to use the Framework to integrate nature recovery into mainstream planning, design and operations, and to help shape the policy and market conditions needed to deliver nature-positive outcomes at scale.

Resilience & Nature Partners

Our climate change adaptation work is supported by our Resilience & Nature Partners.

Framework for a Nature-Positive Built Environment Project Partners

Thank you to the generous support of our project partner.

Nature

Nature is in crisis.�� The built environment has a critical role to play in protecting and restoring nature and moving to a regenerative model of development.

View more

The post UKGBC launches Framework to accelerate a nature-positive built environment appeared first on UKGBC.

What is nature positive?

We may be at a tipping point in our relationship with nature. The loss of biodiversity and the rapid degradation of ecosystems have reached critical levels, pushing us closer to irreversible changes. In response to this reality, the����(GBF) has set an ambitious goal to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2030 and begin to reverse it by 2050. The UK has followed, committing to protecting 30% of its land and seas by 2030, underscoring the need for immediate action.

Amid this urgent need, the term “nature-positive” has emerged. Nature positive represents a collective effort to combat biodiversity loss and the negative impacts on the natural environment, transforming it into a shared goal: “.

The built environment sector��has a crucial role to play in achieving nature positive.��This framework provides key definitions, the steps and recommended actions needed to��progress towards��a nature-positive built environment.������

Download the framework here

Who is this framework for?

Everyone can and should play a role in avoiding and reducing harm, restoring, and regenerating the natural world. This framework provides key definitions, the steps and recommended actions needed to progress towards a nature-positive built environment. The key audiences for the framework are:

Design and construction teams:

architects, urban planners, engineers, ecologists, consultants, and contractors

Supply chain:

materials suppliers and product manufacturers

Building owners and occupiers:

developers, property and facilities managers, estate teams, and occupiers

Government:

local authorities, national and devolved administrations

Nature is the very foundation that underpins our economy, our safety and our wellbeing, not just an optional extra for the built environment.”����

Simon Mcwhirter, chief executive, UKGBc

Resilience & Nature Partners

Our climate change adaptation work is supported by our Resilience & Nature Partners.

Framework for a Nature-Positive Built Environment Project Partners

Thank you to the generous support of our project partner.

Nature

Nature is in crisis.�� The built environment has a critical role to play in protecting and restoring nature and moving to a regenerative model of development.

View more

The post Framework for a Nature-Positive Built Environment appeared first on UKGBC.

About the course

This half-day masterclass will deep dive into Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in the built environment. Focusing on the legislation and policy context in England, this course will help delegates understand the drivers behind BNG and how to achieve and surpass the mandated minimum 10% biodiversity uplift in new project. 

The course will cover the need for biodiversity recovery in general across England, contextualised against the climate and biodiversity crises. We’ll look at the principles and basics of BNG – what is BNG? Why does it matter? How is it measured? 

We’ll move on to explore the regulatory drivers for BNG with a focus on translating the Environment Act, 2021 and covering how a number of major local authorities apply the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and their own policies on BNG. Finally, we’ll cover the process of BNG from start to finish, picking up the practical steps needed within planning and construction, including how to design for BNG through green infrastructure design. 

The course will be interactive and discursive, giving you a chance to discuss BNG issues with colleagues from across the UKGBC membership, and our subject-matter expert.   

Who’s it for?

This masterclass is for developers, planners, architects, landscape architects, and any other planning/environmental professionals who need to know more about BNG within planning in England.  

Other dates

28th May – 13:30-17:00 (London)

Course hosts

Faye Durkin, Head of Nature, Greengage (BSc (Hons) Environmental Science, MSc Environmental Management and Sustainable Development, Co-chair IEMA Biodiversity and Natural Capital Steering Group).

Faye leads Greengage’s nature team, providing ecological and green infrastructure design input into projects enabling biodiversity net gains and complementing wider climate change adaptation measures. She has been a professional ecologist since 2008 and has held bat and great crested newt mitigation licences. She has a wealth of experience ranging from residential developments to large commercial sites and strategic biodiversity net gain projects for the Environment Agency and Natural England.  

Greengage is an independent sustainability consultancy with offices in London, Manchester, Sheffield, and Bristol. Established for over 17 years, we’re an award-winning team of consultants with expertise across the full spectrum of sustainability including energy and carbon management, ESG, sustainable finance, social sustainability, biodiversity and green infrastructure/urban greening. 


Cancellation policy  /ukgbc-cancellation-and-refund-policy/

Biodiversity and Environmental Net Gain Project Partners

Our work on Biodiversity Net Gain and Environmental Gain is generously supported by the following organisations.

Resilience & Nature Partners

Our climate change adaptation work is supported by our Resilience & Nature Partners.

The post Biodiversity Net Gain Masterclass (Virtual) appeared first on UKGBC.

About the course

This half-day masterclass will deep dive into Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in the built environment. Focusing on the legislation and policy context in England, this course will help delegates understand the drivers behind BNG and how to achieve and surpass the mandated minimum 10% biodiversity uplift in new project. 

The course will cover the need for biodiversity recovery in general across England, contextualised against the climate and biodiversity crises. We’ll look at the principles and basics of BNG – what is BNG? Why does it matter? How is it measured? 

We’ll move on to explore the regulatory drivers for BNG with a focus on translating the Environment Act, 2021 and covering how a number of major local authorities apply the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and their own policies on BNG. Finally, we’ll cover the process of BNG from start to finish, picking up the practical steps needed within planning and construction, including how to design for BNG through green infrastructure design. 

The course will be interactive and discursive, giving you a chance to discuss BNG issues with colleagues from across the UKGBC membership, and our subject-matter expert.   

Who’s it for?

This masterclass is for developers, planners, architects, landscape architects, and any other planning/environmental professionals who need to know more about BNG within planning in England.  

Course hosts

Faye Durkin, Head of Nature, Greengage (BSc (Hons) Environmental Science, MSc Environmental Management and Sustainable Development, Co-chair IEMA Biodiversity and Natural Capital Steering Group).

Faye leads Greengage’s nature team, providing ecological and green infrastructure design input into projects enabling biodiversity net gains and complementing wider climate change adaptation measures. She has been a professional ecologist since 2008 and has held bat and great crested newt mitigation licences. She has a wealth of experience ranging from residential developments to large commercial sites and strategic biodiversity net gain projects for the Environment Agency and Natural England.  

Greengage is an independent sustainability consultancy with offices in London, Manchester, Sheffield, and Bristol. Established for over 17 years, we’re an award-winning team of consultants with expertise across the full spectrum of sustainability including energy and carbon management, ESG, sustainable finance, social sustainability, biodiversity and green infrastructure/urban greening. 


Cancellation policy  /ukgbc-cancellation-and-refund-policy/

Resilience & Nature Partners

Our climate change adaptation work is supported by our Resilience & Nature Partners.

The post Biodiversity Net Gain Masterclass (London) appeared first on UKGBC.

About the course

This self-directed online course runs every other month throughout the year. The course is a combination of reading, self-led activities, quizzes and discussion.  You’ll be part of a cohort of people from across industry taking the course at the same time; you’ll have opportunities to discuss the concepts raised in the course with your peers.  

Alongside discussion and other activities, the UKGBC team will be on hand to support your learning and answer any questions.

What does the course cover?  
Through your four weeks of learning, you’ll work through the following modules:  

Module 1: Context. In this module, you’ll be welcomed into the course and begin the learning journey by exploring why sustainability in the built environment is so critical for the future, and the role that the built environment plays in either exacerbating or mitigating climate change and broader sustainability issues. 

Module 2: Concepts. In this module, you’ll explore five key concepts of sustainability in the built environment and different building typologies including: Climate Change; Resource Use; Nature & Biodiversity; Social Value; and Health & Wellbeing.

Module 3: Cases. In this module, you’ll delve into a variety of case studies and also be given the opportunity to develop and share one of your own.

Module 4: Change: This is where you’ll take action! You’ll investigate the unique role that you can play in influencing the sustainability of the built environment around them. You’ll also be asked to make commitment to push your single most impactful action forward. 

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone working in the built environment and construction sectors who wants to develop their sustainability knowledge and skills.  
You may already be working in the built environment and be looking to upskill in the field of sustainability, or you may have knowledge of sustainability and want to apply this to the context of the built environment. If you have limited knowledge of both buildings and sustainability and want to learn more about sustainable design and delivery, this course will give you a solid introduction.

CPD hours: 16 

Tickets

Member tickets are free
Non-member tickets are: £300 
If you’re unsure if your organisation is a member, please check our Membership Directory.

Do you want to enrol a whole team? 

UKGBC can offer this course to closed cohorts, running at a time of your convenience – please get in touch with our learning team to get more information: learning@UKGBC.org.  

Cancellation and refund policy 

Please see our website for more details on our cancellations and refunds: /ukgbc-cancellation-and-refund-policy/ 

The post Sustainable Thinking: A Beginner’s Guide for the Built Environment (Virtual) appeared first on UKGBC.

About the course

This self-directed online course runs every other month throughout the year. The course is a combination of reading, self-led activities, quizzes and discussion.  You’ll be part of a cohort of people from across industry taking the course at the same time; you’ll have opportunities to discuss the concepts raised in the course with your peers.  

Alongside discussion and other activities, the UKGBC team will be on hand to support your learning and answer any questions.

What does the course cover?  
Through your four weeks of learning, you’ll work through the following modules:  

Module 1: Context. In this module, you’ll be welcomed into the course and begin the learning journey by exploring why sustainability in the built environment is so critical for the future, and the role that the built environment plays in either exacerbating or mitigating climate change and broader sustainability issues. 

Module 2: Concepts. In this module, you’ll explore five key concepts of sustainability in the built environment and different building typologies including: Climate Change; Resource Use; Nature & Biodiversity; Social Value; and Health & Wellbeing.

Module 3: Cases. In this module, you’ll delve into a variety of case studies and also be given the opportunity to develop and share one of your own.

Module 4: Change: This is where you’ll take action! You’ll investigate the unique role that you can play in influencing the sustainability of the built environment around them. You’ll also be asked to make commitment to push your single most impactful action forward. 

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone working in the built environment and construction sectors who wants to develop their sustainability knowledge and skills.  
You may already be working in the built environment and be looking to upskill in the field of sustainability, or you may have knowledge of sustainability and want to apply this to the context of the built environment. If you have limited knowledge of both buildings and sustainability and want to learn more about sustainable design and delivery, this course will give you a solid introduction.

CPD hours: 16 

Tickets

Member tickets are free
Non-member tickets are: £300 
If you’re unsure if your organisation is a member, please check our Membership Directory.

Do you want to enrol a whole team? 

UKGBC can offer this course to closed cohorts, running at a time of your convenience – please get in touch with our learning team to get more information: learning@UKGBC.org.  

Cancellation and refund policy 

Please see our website for more details on our cancellations and refunds: /ukgbc-cancellation-and-refund-policy/ 

The post Sustainable Thinking: A Beginner’s Guide for the Built Environment (Virtual) appeared first on UKGBC.