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For more information about the Institution's Sustainable and Decarbonised Construction seminar, please visit the event website.
Please could you briefly explain your role, involvement, and experience related to the focus of this event?
Simon Bittlestone (SB): I am Director of value-for-money studies at the National Audit Office (NAO), which means producing reports on government policies that support Parliamentary scrutiny and lead to improvements in public services. The NAO recently published a report assessing progress of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme, which establishes a cost of emitting carbon for the construction sector.
What, in your experience, has been the biggest roadblock for the industry over the past 2-3 years?
SB: In terms of decarbonisation, our report highlighted that the relatively low carbon price (compared, for example, to the equivalent carbon price in the EU), might reduce future incentives for companies to invest in new technologies that reduce emissions.
What key topics are you excited to discuss at this year's conference?
SB: How the government ensures that the ETS operates coherently alongside other government policies to establish a clear pathway towards decarbonising sectors such as heavy industry.
What do you consider to be the key areas of innovation in this industry, both in the UK and internationally?
SB: The NAO's perspectives on innovation in industry are largely framed around how government supports well managed risk taking. For example, its investment in new technologies like carbon capture and storage has meant government needing to accept some risks can only be partly mitigated, such as higher upfront costs for early projects. But these risks could be worth taking if the government determines that the potential costs of delaying or pursuing alternatives could be higher.
Who else are you most interested in hearing from on the programme?
SB: I'm looking forward to the case studies from different industries on their decarbonisation challenges and opportunities.
The Institution's Sustainable and Decarbonised Construction seminar will take place on 23 September 2025, returning to the Institution's London headquarters at One Birdcage Walk. For further details and to book your place, please visit the event website.