Circular design, accountability and energy resilience: Glasgow's decarbonisation roundtable event

At our recent decarbonisation roundtable discussion in Glasgow — the third of this year’s series following successful conversations in Birmingham and Manchester — professionals from across public and private sectors came together to explore the opportunities and challenges ahead.

While familiar themes such as sustainable materials and carbon reduction remained central, our discussion in Glasgow introduced fresh perspectives shaped by local contexts and live project experience. This helped broaden the debate, with wide-ranging conversation on the circular economy in construction, renewable energy solutions, smarter building operation and the regulatory support needed to deliver lasting impact.

What connected everyone in the room was a clear commitment to turn ambition into reality, while recognising that decarbonisation requires not only technical progress but also cultural change — particularly in how value is understood across design, procurement and building management.

So, what were the key takeaways from Glasgow’s decarbonisation roundtable?

The session opened with a focus on circular economy in construction, with growing enthusiasm for approaches that move beyond carbon calculations and into material ethics, reuse and adaptability.

Examples from local projects showed how elements such as steel and raised access flooring can be given new life when supported by the right assurance processes. Modular and dry construction methods were highlighted as ways to unlock even greater reuse potential, encouraging teams to plan for multiple lifecycles from the outset.

Emerging digital solutions, such as trials of material passports, and innovative research into optimising plasterboard layouts, were viewed as encouraging steps that can reduce waste and deliver cost savings. Simple reuse strategies, like repurposing existing flooring or tailoring component sizing, also demonstrated that practical, low-cost measures are well within reach.

Although certification for reused products remains a challenge, the momentum towards scalable circularity is clearly building.

A key theme in the conversation was how to ensure net zero buildings perform as sustainably in operation as they are designed to on paper. There was strong recognition that frameworks and standards, when used proactively, can be powerful tools to guide behaviours and specifications.

Scotland’s Net Zero Public Sector Buildings framework was seen as a constructive example, allowing phased improvements aligned to building lifecycles and reducing the risk of stranded assets. The group welcomed the idea of post-occupancy evaluation (POE) as a standard requirement, enabling estates teams to learn, adapt and continuously improve performance.

Rather than viewing accreditations as end goals, participants agreed that their greatest value lies in shaping design intent and supporting operational practices. The overall message was one of optimism: regulation, when applied with nuance, can be a driver of sustainable construction and higher standards across the industry.

The second half of the session explored net zero carbon energy generation and use, with many positive examples of organisations already taking bold steps. Rooftop solar PV combined with battery storage and EV charging is delivering benefits on schools and campuses, while large-scale heat networks show the potential to transform local energy resilience.

Encouragingly, many participants reported excellent results from low-cost optimisation measures. Simple recommissioning of plant, better controls and improved use of data have all led to substantial energy savings and reduced reliance on gas. Smart building systems and digital platforms are creating opportunities for estates teams to take more informed, proactive decisions, particularly when paired with clear training and user-friendly interfaces.

Despite current grid constraints, the mood was one of creativity and determination, with many examples of how decentralised energy solutions are already making a positive difference.

Like our previous discussions, the Glasgow session reinforced that the journey to decarbonisation is both achievable and rewarding. There is growing consensus around the principles of circular design, renewable energy adoption, smarter energy management and shared accountability, and inspiring examples of progress are already visible.

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