Last week, RICS hosted the third edition of the Green Home Festival in Charlotte Square Gardens, which saw over 500 delegates attend five days of in-person events on sustainability and decarbonisation.

The festival, held from 12-16 August as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, was organised by the Construction Industry Collective Voice (CICV), with members hosting discussions on a range of topical subjects, with attendees hearing about the history of heat pumps, retrofit done the right way, a crash course in Passivhaus, the future of community heat networks to name a few.

Details of the shows and slides from all the presentations are available here: https://greenhomefestival.co.uk/shows/

Justin Sullivan, RICS President Elect welcomed the Acting Minister for Climate Action, Dr Alasdair Allan MSP to officially launch the festival, who said in his opening address:

“The climate crisis is among the greatest global challenges of our time.

We know that our homes and workplaces account for around a fifth of Scotland’s emissions. Our building stock is relatively old, and the legacy of poor energy efficiency contributes both to emissions and fuel poverty.

We are at a pivotal point right now in the heat transition.

We must improve the efficiency of existing buildings and switch to clean heating systems, such as heat pumps and heat networks, and do so in a way that is in line with a just transition.”

The launch was followed by the first presentation of the week, titled: Retrofit Explained: The Right Way to Deliver Retrofit, which showcased collaboration in the built environment delivered by RICS member, Aythan Lewes, RIAS member, Joanne McClelland and FMB member, Paul Dempsey.

The festival was the latest in a string of practical and constructive initiatives launched by the CICV since its creation at the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

Made up of 30 trade associations, professional services bodies and companies, it has maintained a steady supply of information and practical advice to the sector as well as carrying out surveys, producing advice and guidance, hosting webinars, and maintaining close dialogue with Scottish Government ministers.

For further information, please contact Scottish Public Affairs Lead, Robert Toomey at rtoomey@rics.org

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