How the construction industry is adapting to net zero with Mike Leonard of BCU
In this episode of The Building Sustainably Podcast, Mike Leonard, CEO of Building Alliance and Visiting Professor at Birmingham City University, joins Ben Stockdale to discuss the critical transition to net zero in the construction industry.
Episode overview
In this episode of The Building Sustainably Podcast, Mike Leonard, CEO of Building Alliance and Visiting Professor at Birmingham City University, joins Ben Stockdale to discuss the critical transition to net zero in the construction industry. They explore the challenges of building safety, the importance of educating consumers about new technologies, the role of net zero neighbourhoods, and the need for skilled labour in the evolving landscape of sustainable housing.
Meet Mike Leonard
Mike Leonard serves as the CEO of Building Alliance CIC and is a Visiting Professor in Manufacturing and the Built Environment at Birmingham City University.
He is at the forefront of numerous initiatives aimed at achieving climate change objectives while ensuring resilience within the built environment. A strong advocate for collaboration, Mike has cultivated an extensive network across both industry and academia, focusing on identifying and pursuing shared goals.
As the founder of the Futures Group, a highly influential cross-industry think tank for the new homes sector in the UK, Mike is dedicated to advancing research that enhances building quality. His current projects include the Future Homes Standard Demonstrators, strategies to prevent overheating, improvements in indoor air quality, fire risk mitigation, reduction of single-use plastics, decarbonisation of the built environment, and addressing the skills gap in the industry.
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Key highlights
01:56 - 09:35 - From gas to green - The construction industry faces four major challenges: climate change, building safety, housing shortages, and skill gaps, all deeply interconnected. Transitioning to net zero is a crucial part of the journey. However, this shift requires education and empathy. New technologies, such as heat pumps, work differently from traditional gas boilers, demanding a change in how we heat and manage our homes. Success depends on engaging consumers, winning their trust, and ensuring they understand how to operate these systems efficiently.
14:21 - 20:24 - Net-zero neighborhoods for resilient living - Building truly net-zero neighborhoods is about creating resilient, sustainable communities by integrating smart design, natural environments, and thoughtful infrastructure. From efficient homes to better transportation links and preserving natural carbon sinks like trees and water systems, the end goal is to build places where people can thrive while protecting the planet.
32:49 - 39:27 - From skills gaps to success - While a challenge, the skills gap in construction is also a huge opportunity. The industry can unlock its full potential by upskilling existing workers through flexible training programs like night schools and CPDs. Construction is an inclusive industry where hard work and skill open doors for everyone. The challenge now is connecting eager young people to employers who need them.
Transcript
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