The Edge conference steering group carefully considered the overall framework for the programme and no topic is included that does not make a significant contribution.

Below are our personal number one picks!

Day 1- 7^th March

Lynne Sullivan, OBE, Architect and Chair of the Good Homes Alliance

10.45 – 11.45

Big Energy Debate: 100% renewables are needed to reduce global heating

The sustainable energy supply challenges are immense if we are to achieve our goals – I look forward to hearing how grid capacity can be achieved when energy storage and interconnectivity infrastructure planning appears to be lacking, needing urgent investment and time to deliver which we can ill afford – whilst demand reduction through buildings retrofit is at such a low ebb.

Chris Twinn, Director Twinn Sustainability Innovation

12.00-13.00

Facing challenges: lessons learned, being prepared

For me this session is key. We know what is needed to address – the Climate Emergency, but, somehow, we are not learning the lessons on implementation at scale and speed. Our human response is to stay in our comfort zone and do some tweaks. Learning and being prepared to change fast is largely human response issue – we need to learn lessons and be prepared for rapid change.

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Day 2 – 8^th March

Will Arnold, Head of Climate Action, the Institution of Structural Engineers

12.30-13.15,

Facing Challenges: Change management

Creating change today, no matter how small, is at the core of what’s needed if we’re to move the built environment towards a better future. I’m looking forward to hearing from this year’s speakers about the change-making they’ve been part of recently, and what they think we need to see next in our industry.

Andrew Scoones, ngenuity

10.30-11.00

Keynote address:  Brussels: a laboratory for circular construction

I would be really interested in coming to see the keynote address by Pascal Smet, Secretary of State, Brussels-Capital Region.

It seems to me that for some time now cities are taking the lead in putting in place legislation, economic incentives and education programmes to tackle climate change. UK cities share many characteristics with a city such as Brussels and after a period of entrenchment and introspection we should be looking outwards again to see what we can learn.

Robin Nicholson CBE, Convenor of the Edge and Fellow Cullinan Studio

13.15-14.00

Activism: act now or face extinction

In this session we will be discussing the necessarily urgent Activism: act now or face extinction.  A great line-up of activists from ACAN, LETI, Buro Happold and Zero Hour will be chaired by Ben Goldsmith, chair of the Conservative Environment Network – a perfect combination as this has to be the end of doing it the way we have always done it, with support across the political spectrum and breaking out of our little bubbles.

Sue James, Chartered Architect, Convenor of the Trees and Design Action Group

14.30 – 15.30

Wise heads: Time for reflection and inspiration for change

Discussing behaviour change was the second most called for topic in a survey carried out after the 2022 show. It has been discussed many times before, but the need to change how we live and work is now urgent.  I am inspired by this session with Baroness Parminter, Lewis Akenji from the Hot or Cool Institute, Paul Chatterton and Jane Manning because they each offer clear directions for action!

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Day 3- 9^th March

Oliver Smith, Director, 5^th Studio

10.30-11.30

The Big Nature Debate: Our contract with nature for a nature positive world

I am interested in this session because, we need to aim for and deliver a critical level of nature recovery and natural capital net gain. To do this in a meaningful and holistic – rather than token or fragmentary – fashion we need to establish a comprehensive land use framework for the whole of the UK, that can inform all development, funding, and land-use decisions going forward.

Simon Foxell, The Architect’s Practice

11.45-12.45
Facing Challenges: Edge Policy Proposals

the Edge has produced a series of Policy proposals for dealing with the climate and biodiversity emergencies in the built and natural environment – see https://edgedebate.com/s/theEdge_PolicyProposals_1122.pdf. I’m anticipating a lively debate with a group of real experts on the measures required to get our sector to meet the national climate change and biodiversity goals.

Jane Wernick CBE, Structural Engineer

13.00-13.45

Activism: Teaching the new curriculum: education is key to positive action on climate and ecological breakdown

It is becoming increasingly clear that we need to embed an understanding about how to tackle the enormous threats of the climate and ecological crisis at every stage of how we educate our population.  This session is interesting to me because we will hear from practitioners, educators and students.  We urgently need to revolutionise our whole education system, from early years to lifelong learning.

Keith Clarke CBE, Intercity Development Partners – Partenaires de Développement Interurbain and Chair of Constructionarium

15.00 – 15.45

What have we got right? Which exams have we passed? What are our re-sits? Are we heading for expulsion? What next?

I am interested in this session because the participants are all committed to taking the action needed at the scale and speed required so that accelerated innovation becomes normal. They won’t spare our blushes should we be falling short of what is asked of us.