Better Homes 2020

We cannot meet climate neutrality with just energy efficiency. Meeting the housing need in Ireland will have its own impact adding over one and a half million tonnes of carbon to the atmosphere each year just from construction-related activity. This year’s Better Homes Conference looks at the imperative to fully decarbonise new home building across the full life cycle in order to meet the Paris Agreement. Better homes means zero carbon homes across the full life cycle in car free 15minute walkable communities. How can the finance sector help us get there? What impact will the new EU Taxonomy have? What will be the impact of Covid 19 on the design of homes?

AGENDA

9.00am Introduction

9.20am Minister Darragh O’Brien (invited)

9.30am Niels Kristien Johne, Pension Denmark Sustainability is now a major concern for institutional investors. How are European pension funds driving change? Why is embodied carbon and Life cycle assessment now considered essential to the investment process?

9.45am Case Study: Net Zero is not a hot topic globally, but what does net Zero look like for dense apartment developments? Case study on climate positive apartments.

10.00am Laura Heuston, Sustainability Works. The EU taxonomy regulations were approved by the European Parliament in 2020. How will this impact the mortgage market and investment in Green homes and help transition to net Zero and move beyond just energy efficiency?

10.15am Panel Discussion: What is the direction of travel for investment in new homes for Ireland? What impact will Green Taxonomy have for investment? Are we ready to leave nZEB behind for Net Zero and holistic assessment of environmental impacts?

Phelim O’Neill, Land Development Agency

Luca Chiarelli, Sisk 

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