Building Resilience - the RE:UK Sustainability Conference 2026

Our climate is changing. The UK is becoming warmer, while extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and more intense.

For real estate, the challenge is no longer simply how we reduce emissions, but how we ensure that the buildings, places and communities we create today are resilient to the climate of tomorrow.

Building Resilience – the RE:UK Sustainability Conference 2026 will bring together more than 100 real estate leaders, policymakers and sustainability professionals to explore how the industry can respond.

Across an afternoon of expert insight, practical case studies and discussion, we will examine climate adaptation at every level – from individual buildings and public spaces to energy and water infrastructure – and ask what a genuinely climate-resilient real estate industry needs to look like.

Expect insights from leading policymakers and industry experts, examples of resilience being delivered in practice, and plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the sector.

The conference is CPD accredited.

12 noon-1pm | Lunch

Join fellow delegates for lunch and networking ahead of the conference programme.

1pm-1.40pm | A well-adapted UK

The UK has cut greenhouse gas emissions significantly since the Climate Change Act was passed. However, progress in preparing our buildings, infrastructure and communities for the effects of a changing climate has been much slower.

In this opening session, we will hear from Sophie Vipond, Director of External Affairs at the Climate Change Committee on the scale of the adaptation challenge facing the UK and what needs to happen to create a country that is better prepared for a warmer and more volatile climate.

1.40pm-2.20pm | Building resilience for people and places

A changing climate requires us to rethink how we design, build, manage and retrofit our buildings and public spaces.
 
Cathy Keir, Head of Sustainability at Savills Investment Management, will discuss the importance of climate resilience from an investor perspective, Grace Taylor, Project Manager at Grosvenor, will share insights from the transformation of Grosvenor Square into a climate-resilient urban garden, and Kirsty Draper, Head of Sustainability at JLL, will examine the expectations and experiences of occupiers.

2.20pm-2.50pm | A climate resilience roadmap for real estate

We cannot deliver a climate-resilient UK without a climate-resilient built environment.

Simon McWhirter, Chief Executive of the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), will set out his vision for a more resilient real estate industry and explore the UKGBC Climate Resilience Roadmap and the action needed to help the sector respond to growing climate hazards.

2.50pm-3pm | Group exercise

An opportunity for delegates to reflect on the issues raised during the opening sessions and consider the priorities for their own organisations and the wider industry.

3pm-3.30pm | Coffee and networking

3.30pm-3.45pm | Feedback session

Delegates will share key themes and conclusions from the group exercise.

3.45pm-4.30pm | The importance of energy resilience and security

As the transition to a low-carbon economy accelerates and electricity demand increases, energy resilience and security are becoming increasingly important considerations for real estate.

This session will explore why energy resilience needs to be on the agenda for sustainability professionals across the sector and how investors, owners and occupiers are responding.

4.30pm-5pm | In conversation with the Rt Hon Chris Skidmore OBE

Former Energy Minister the Rt Hon Chris Skidmore OBE has become one of the UK's most prominent advocates for climate action.
 
In this interview-style session, Chinyelu Oranefo, Managing Director of Sustainability Advisory at Lloyds Banking Group, will ask Chris to explore the policy, market and global trends shaping the sustainability agenda and to share insights from his work with the Transition Finance Council and the UK Net Zero Council.

5pm-5.30pm | A water-resilient real estate industry

Water-related risks can sometimes be overlooked, but flooding, water scarcity, ageing infrastructure and increased regulatory scrutiny are creating significant challenges for investors, developers and occupiers.
 
In this session, Kimberly Markiewicz, lead researcher on sustainability at JLL, will share new research on the water-related climate challenges facing real estate and Phil Hirst, Director of Sustainability at Greystar, will explain Greystar’s approach to water management and discuss why water resilience is becoming an increasingly important consideration for the real estate sector.

5.30pm-6.30pm | Drinks reception

Continue the conversation and connect with speakers and delegates over drinks.

6.30pm | Close

Agenda and timings are subject to change.

Hear what previous attendees valued most about the conference - from the quality of the speakers and discussions to connecting with sustainability professionals from across the real estate industry.

If you have a question, please contact us at events@realestateuk.org.