The Race to Net Zero

Will the discussions at COP26 result in sufficient levels of action? Our expert panellists provide a temperature check on the UK’s readiness for delivery of Net Zero at scale before 2050.

Moderator

Dan Jestico – Sustainable Design Director @ Savills

Dan is a Sustainable Design Director at Savills, with a wealth of experience in delivering net-zero carbon buildings and masterplans. He is a chartered engineer with over seventeen years’ experience in low carbon, sustainable design, climate science and related national and local environmental policy. His approach to design encompasses not only environmental sustainability, but also social and economic elements, reflecting the need to engage communities and businesses in truly effective sustainable design.

Panellists

Karen Ellis – Director of Sustainable Economy @ WWF-UK

Karen Ellis is Director of Sustainable Economy at WWF UK, and leads a cross-organisational programme of work focusing on how to transform the economic system for sustainability, including workstreams on sustainable finance, sustainable development and sustainable economic policy.  She is an economist with 25 years’ experience in the public and private sectors.  Karen previously worked as an economist at HM Treasury, and at the Department for International Development, with a focus on international economics, private sector development, growth, investment, financial regulation and macroeconomic policy issues. Karen also worked at the Overseas Development Institute, where she led the Private Sector and Markets Programme, focusing on the role of business in achieving sustainable development.  Karen started her career as a consultant for London Economics, advising on financial regulatory issues for private sector clients.

Jonathan Holyoak – Policy & Net Zero Programme Director @ Atkins

Jonathan is the Policy and Net Zero Programme Director at Atkins, the global engineering consultancy.  He leads the development of Atkins’ global services to reduce carbon and support clients on their paths towards net zero emissions.  He is also responsible for Atkins’ government relations, including as a strategic supplier to the UK Government. Atkins works across all aspects of the built environment, transport, energy and defence sectors.  A particular priority is the work the company is doing to help tackle the affordable housing crisis through its wholly-owned subsidiary EDAROTH.

Prior to Atkins Jonathan worked for 17 years as a UK civil servant holding a range of policy roles with a strong specialism in energy and climate policy.  His last role in the civil service was as the Director responsible for EU Exit negotiations on energy and climate policy.  Before that he held a range of roles leading significant aspects of the UK Government low carbon policy development and major programme delivery.  He has also led the UK trade policy team in the UK Representation to the EU.

Helen Newman – Head of Sustainability – Senior Director – Advisory @ CBRE UK

Helen is Head of Sustainable Finance at CBRE, working across the Capital Advisors business. Helen specialises in developing sustainable finance frameworks on behalf of commercial banks and private capital lenders deploying capital to support sustainable RE investments. Helen also works on behalf of a range of investors advising on ESG strategies, reporting and disclosure addressing holistic performance across areas including health and wellbeing, building performance and post occupation evaluation, energy and whole life carbon, circularity, biodiversity and green infrastructure and social impact.

Helen advocates the advancement of best practice in the industry and is appointed as a member of the Enfield Place and Design Quality Panel. She is also Vice Chair of the ULI UK Sustainability Product Council, is on the CREFC ESG task group, is a member of the CIBSE Knowledge panel, and actively participates with organisations such as the UKGBC and LETI. In 2020 and 2021, Helen was a judge for the CIBSE Building Performance Awards.

Phoebe Lewis – Senior Sustainability Consultant @ JLL

Phoebe is an associate director specializing in net zero carbon and carbon offsetting implementation. She project manages a series of net zero carbon projects as well as contributing to initiatives to develop the industry understanding and uptake of net zero carbon. As part of this, she is seconded to the Built Environment’s High-Level Climate Champion’s team that drives action towards Race to Zero in the lead up to COP26. She also wrote the World Economic Forum’s 2021 publication “Green Building Principles”.

Prior to working at JLL, Phoebe worked at the United Nations, Rocky Mountain Institute, and Euro-Mediterranean Centre on Climate Change where she worked with a range of stakeholders on reducing emissions and adapting to climate change. Her academic background is Economics and Policy of Energy and the Environment (MSc) and Environmental Geography (BSc Hons).

Please register on the Savills webinar portal via this link: https://savills.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vOUAAIuWQImCj2EHPWIfdw

To purchase members tickets you will need to be logged in with a valid subscription: