Zero Carbon Hub Conference

The Zero Carbon Hub’s second annual conference was held on Thursday February 2, featuring a strong and varied line up of speakers.

Chairing the conference, the Hub’s chairman Paul King put the event in context, pointing out that the journey to zero carbon had reached its halfway point.

HBF executive chairman Stewart Baseley, who has been involved in the zero carbon programme from the start, gave his views on progress and the challenge ahead (see separate story). And Barratt’s chief executive Mark Clare spoke about the work that had been achieved over the past year, with the influence of the AIMC4 project helping to make the next step change more attainable. But he highlighted the need to drive down costs, and expressed concerns over the “unintended consequences” of local authorities insisting on the use of renewable technology.

A panel discussion of DCLG and DECC ministers addressed the recently launched Part L 2013 and issues surrounding Allowable Solutions for 2016. Zero carbon was explored in the wider policy context with speakers including the Hub’s ceo Neil Jefferson and government chief construction adviser Paul Morrell.

NHBC ceo Imtiaz Farookhi turned the audience’s attention to the consumer, giving a preview of the NHBC Foundation’s second report into customers’ attitudes towards zero carbon. Lloyds Banking Group’s Stephen Noakes considered what a green mortgage would mean for lenders and consumers.

For the final session speakers focused on zero carbon delivery, with Linden Homes md Peter Youll giving details of the company’s net zero carbon scheme, Graylingwell Park.