The HE Net Zero Estate Conference 2025

Access on demand for free as a HE delegate

On Demand
Virtual Conference

The HE Net Zero Estate Conference will offer vital insights on how HE estates leaders are managing the transition to net-zero and the next steps in overcoming major delivery challenges to meet ambitious targets in 2030 and beyond.

The Conference will:

  • Explore how estates leaders can translate strategic visions on net zero into meaningfully delivery

  • Assess the latest updates on green financing and how institutions can develop funding solutions to net zero investment

  • Share insights from across the sector in leading the net zero transition on legacy buildings through effective retrofits and refurbishments

  • Evaluate delivery solutions on net zero heating, cooling and energy efficiency

  • Examine the latest thinking on reimagining the use of space across the HE estate to support net zero targets

Why attend the conference?

Discover real innovation on managing the delivery route to a net zero HE estate

Gain practical insights on overcoming challenges to the net zero transition

Develop a roadmap for net zero implementation within your institution

Agenda

09:30 am

Chair’s Welcome Address

Trevor Wills
Director of Estates & Facilities
University of Plymouth (CONFIRMED)

09:40 am

In Conversation: What Next on Green Finance Options?

  • What are the financing options open to institutions embarking on major investments in net zero estate transformations?

  • Exploring how different routes to financing are being utilised by the sector including green bonds, sustainable private placement and sustainability-linked loans

  • Examining alternative funding structures beyond direct external borrowing

  • How to navigate green financing in the context of pressure on university balance sheets and deficit risk

  • Assessing grant options from government and other funders and what to expect from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme

Graeme Aithie
Partner
QMPF (CONFIRMED)

Liam Gillard
Senior Programme Manager
Salix Finance (CONFIRMED)

10:10 am

Working in Collaboration on Waste Heat Network Development

Dr Roddy Yarr
Director of Sustainability
University of Glasgow (CONFIRMED)

10:40 am

Break and Networking

11:00 am

Delivering on the Strategic Vision for Net Zero

  • Examining the key delivery challenges facing estate leaders in the road to net zero

  • Assessing how decarbonisation planning is progressing and the key risks that would prevent institutions meeting targets

  • Approaches to scaling up decarbonisation across university operations

  • Exploring the pressing questions on financing net zero transformation

Professor Zoe Robinson
Professor of Sustainability in Higher Education, Keele University
Co-Chair, EAUC (CONFIRMED)

Joanna Chamberlain
Director of Sustainability
University of Exeter (CONFIRMED)

Sara Lynch
Head of Sustainability
Queen’s University Belfast (CONFIRMED)

Stephanie Todd
Strategic Operational Lead for Sustainability
Kingston University (CONFIRMED)

Simon Goldsmith
Head of Sustainability
University of Greenwich (CONFIRMED)

12:00 pm

The Energy Roadmap: An Operational Plan for Developing Resilient Low Carbon Infrastructure and Buildings

  • What does an impactful energy efficiency roll out look like in practice?

  • How do we develop a replicable and scalable approach to adapting a diverse range of buildings?

  • From ventilation to insulation, from heat recovery to lighting efficiency: What will drive impact on performance now?

  • The long-term goal: What does it take to meaningfully reduce energy demand and adopt new net-zero enabling technologies?

Dean Drobot
Head of Energy and Utilities
The University of Edinburgh (CONFIRMED)

12:30 pm

Break and Networking

1:30 pm

Making Gains on Net Zero Heating and Cooling: Examining the Delivery Route

  • University of Leeds route to Net Zero by 2030

  • The Challenges across a live campus

  • Climate Emergency Response

  • Our Implementation Plan

  • Removal of Steam Networks and Electrification of plant

  • Electrical Infrastructure Upgrades

  • Energy Reduction Strategy

  • Partnering arrangement on Procurement Route

David Oldroyd
Interim Deputy Director of Development
University of Leeds (CONFIRMED)

2:10 pm

In Conversation: Designing a Net Zero First Capital Development Pipeline

  • How can net zero be achieved in construction and capital development programmes in the long term?

  • When is new development required and what are the options for deep retrofits?

  • Making decisions on sustainable land use for development

  • What does the net zero campus building of 2030 look like and how can it live up to long term performance objectives?

Professor Richard Bull
Deputy Dean, School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment
Nottingham Trent University (CONFIRMED)

Alessandra Foderaro
Deputy Director- Capital Development
Westminster University (CONFIRMED)

2:40 pm

Break and Networking

3:00 pm

Towards Net Zero: Retrofits and refurbishments

  • University for the Creative Arts; Case study across two campuses

Dr Akin Oluwatudimu
Director of Estates and Facilities
University for the Creative Arts (CONFIRMED)

Scott Keiller
Head of Sustainability
University for the Creative Arts (CONFIRMED)

3:30 pm

Conference Close

*Programme subject to change

Audience

This Conference is designed for all estates and sustainability leaders responsible for net zero delivery in higher education. Those in attendance will include:

  • Directors of Estates

  • Directors of Estate Development and Campus Services

  • Directors of Sustainability and Net Zero

  • Deputy Director of Estates

  • Heads of Sustainability and Net Zero Delivery

  • Heads of Capital Projects

  • Heads of Estate Management

Get Your On Demand Ticket

HE and Public Sector

Free

Private Sector

£395 + VAT

For group discounts and enquiries about your registration please contact us on enquiries@heprofessional.co.uk