BSSC launches The Centre for Sustainable Governance and Law in the Built Environment

The Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction is pleased to announce the launch of the Centre for Sustainable Governance and Law in the Built Environment, the first of its kind in the UK - focusing on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) best practices in the built environment. 

The launch which took place on Thursday 26 January, 2023 was attended by academics, practitioners, students, and alumni. It began with the Director of the Centre, Dr Armando Castro giving a presentation of the centre’s overview and aims. Acting Director of BSSC, Prof. Priti Parikh and BSSC Professor Jacqui Glass also presented, touching on the immense relevant collaborations and partnerships the centre seeks to foster. 

The new multidisciplinary, world-class learning and research centre, whose launch was supported by Puma Property Finance will be developing and promoting managerial, legal, financial, and policy-focused research and debates that consider the latest social and environmental developments and impacts in the urban environment. Some of the initial research developed by the centre include: 

• Adoption of ESG practices in the construction industry, and innovative financing models for construction projects 
• Improving social housing in the UK for older people 
• Improving Environmental and Social measurement tools of the impact of construction projects and buildings 
• Improving the knowledge transfer and collaboration between the different players involved in the construction sectors
• Sustainable director duties’ regulation and law

With industry research finding that 39% of global energy related carbon emissions come from the built environment, the centre aims to play a key role in mitigating this impact. It will convene new and existing research which will impact and influence the future of sustainable finance in the urban environment industry in the UK.  

The centre’s membership will be composed of academics and practitioners with expertise in sustainability, governance, environmental science, social inclusion, finance, economics, finance, civil engineering, surveying, geography, management and law. 

Dr Armando Castro said: “This Centre has been launched in a critical time and has the purpose of sharing academic insights and knowledge, while connecting and fostering the dialogue between academics and practitioners of the built environment. This is greatly needed now since the construction industry and its players need to do more to address current societal concerns regarding their social and environmental impact. Further, universities’ research can be used for the greater good and should be shared more widely.” 

Professor Priti Parikh said: "Huge congratulations to Dr Armando Castro for the successful launch of the Centre for Sustainable Governance and Law in the Built Environment. The launch event was well attended and clearly hit a knowledge gap in practice and policy. It is fantastic to see our colleagues being active advocates of change through their research and engaging with industry and practice."

Paul Frost, Managing Director of Puma Property Finance, and member of the Centre’s Advisory Board comments: “We’re incredibly proud to sponsor UCL’s new research centre and play our part in significantly reducing the carbon impact of the construction industry. Delivering net zero buildings and retrofitting existing ones is a huge challenge, especially as we try to meet the demand for more and better quality housing, education facilities and suitable accommodation for our ageing population.

“Progress can’t be achieved through policy and regulation alone; it requires collaboration across industry and academia, innovation, creativity and ambition if we’re to drive truly impactful change. This new Centre offers an exciting opportunity to put that into practice, and we are delighted to be supporting its important work. The finance sector has enormous influence over the real estate that we build in this country and around the world. We can and must use that influence for the benefit of both current and future generations.”

For more information on the centre, visit here. 

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