Insights from Manchester: A collaborative approach towards decarbonisation

Since July, the formation of a new government and the announcement of GB Energy have brought renewed focus to the decarbonisation agenda.

These developments provided a timely backdrop for an insightful discussion on innovative strategies to enhance building performance and sustainability.

Read on to discover more of the key takeaways, with insightful contributions from representatives from Arup, CBRE, EQUANS, Manchester Metropolitan University, S I Sealy, Tilbury Douglas, the University of Huddersfield, the University of Lancaster and the University of Salford.

A key takeaway from these sessions is the opportunity to reflect on what we truly mean by a ‘healthy building’. The discussion revealed that shaping healthier buildings is often simpler than we think, particularly when sustainability and wellbeing are approached together.

Many strategies to enhance health and sustainability can be achieved without excessive budgets. Across the table, there were discussions over projects that prioritise thoughtful material choices and sustainable practices that demonstrate significant improvements with minimal cost increases. And today, with a growing range of products and resources available, these choices are becoming even more accessible and straightforward to implement.

Biophilic design—incorporating nature into the built environment—stood out as a practical and impactful strategy. By enhancing indoor environmental quality and energy efficiency, biophilic principles not only improve peoples’ health and wellbeing but contribute to lower carbon footprints by reducing reliance on resource-intensive operations.

Healthier buildings are also proven to boost productivity and staff retention, as reflected by the growing interest in standards like the WELL Building Standard, which highlights the potential for measurable improvements in employee outcomes. Placing healthy buildings as a priority for businesses as workplaces continue to evolve. Thoughtful design plays a critical role in nurturing colleagues happiness and wellbeing, aligning human needs with environmental goals.

By integrating health and sustainability into the decarbonisation agenda, the conversation expands beyond technical metrics to embrace a human-centred approach. This balance of environmental responsibility and societal benefit represents the innovative thinking required to achieve the UK’s net zero carbon targets while enhancing quality of life.

How much do you know about The Spine? Designed with a philosophy that people will feel healthier when they walk out of the building than when they walk in, this groundbreaking project is one of the few certified WELL Platinum buildings in the UK.

Discover more about the project here

A central focus of the session was the pressing need to address the challenges and opportunities within the UK’s existing building stock.

Retrofitting emerged as a highly effective and cost-efficient strategy for decarbonisation. Participants explored the benefits of using sophisticated tools like our retrofit toolkit, a dynamic piece of equipment designed to help informed decisions in prioritising decarbonisation plans to reduce energy usage quickly and efficiently.

Already, the tool has shown how simple improvements, like better roof insulation and upgraded glazing, can significantly reduce energy use without the need for a full renovation at a university building in Manchester.

While the challenges posed by aging buildings, funding constraints and skills shortages were acknowledged, participants were in agreement on the need to maximise the potential of existing assets. Strategies such as upgrading building fabric, optimising existing systems and taking a long-term perspective on retrofit investments arose as important solutions.

The takeaway here was clear. Whether it’s simple steps like managing energy use in schools or larger retrofits of civic buildings, there are tools and strategies available to help the UK’s building stock play its part in achieving decarbonisation goals.

The conversation also delved into the wider market dynamics influencing decarbonisation and healthy building trends. Financial incentives are steering the industry toward net zero compliance, with lenders offering reduced interest rates for sustainable developments.

Meanwhile, green premiums are driving demand for ESG-compliant properties, with tenants and investors prioritising sustainability credentials.

Participants noted that inconsistent government policies—such as unclear EPC requirements—and limited financial support remain significant barriers to progress. These challenges highlight how policies are lagging behind and the need for a cohesive policy framework to enable the industry to meet its decarbonisation goals effectively.

A particularly inspiring takeaway was the enthusiasm of the next generation of professionals. University students entering the industry are increasingly prioritising practices and organisations with strong commitments to green initiatives.

This reflects a broader shift in societal awareness, underscoring the importance of integrating sustainability into every aspect of design and operation.

As students seek out environmentally conscious practices, the built environment must evolve to align with these values, ensuring a future that balances environmental and societal needs.

Through innovation, collaboration and a shared commitment to sustainability, these discussions drive the industry closer to a healthier future.

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To learn more about how we are achieving decarbonisation through retrofit, visit our perspectives page here.