NZ

 Supporting Pathways to Net Zero with Estates Toolkit
Jonathan Hines, Managing Director, Architype | Patrick Brown, Sustainable Construction Delivery

The Estate Retrofit Toolkit, developed  with Hub East Central, City of Edinburgh Council, and the UK Passivhaus Trust, will launch in April 2026 following beta testing. It supports investment and decarbonisation planning for large building portfolios by modelling outcomes of different carbon reduction strategies. Designed for simplicity, it minimises data input while providing clear, graphical outputs and predictive insights for decision-making. The tool draws on analysis of over 120 buildings, including detailed studies across seven Scottish local authorities. Although focused on local authority estates, it is adaptable to other sectors. Pilot retrofit projects are underway, enabling performance monitoring and evaluation.
 

Embodied Carbon in Schools: Where We Are and Where We're Headed
Callum Kerr, Senior Sustainability Engineer, Cundall

As embodied carbon targets tighten across the UK, the education sector faces a defining moment. Drawing on whole-life carbon assessments across a wide range of school projects, this session charts where the sector currently stands — identifying material hotspots, recurring design challenges, and lessons from real-world delivery. It translates that evidence into clear strategic direction for designers, estate managers, and procurement teams. Attendees will leave with a grounded understanding of the carbon reduction pathway ahead, and a practical view of where innovation in materials, design, and reuse can deliver the next generation of low-carbon school buildings.