As we approach five years since the launch of the BBP Climate Commitment, AREF ESG 5-Year Roadmap, and the UKGBC Net Zero Carbon Building Framework, aligning real estate portfolios with a 1.5-degree pathway has become even more urgent, and challenging. To address this, we are excited to present the second of a series of two events exploring this issue which open to both The Association of Real Estate Funds (AREF) and Better Buildings Partnership (BBP) Members.
Join a high-impact roundtable and panel discussion to:
- Hear from industry practitioners delivering some of the sector’s most ambitious decarbonisation strategies.
- Engage in collaborative workshops exploring seven practical, solution-focused themes (see full list below).
- Exchange proven strategies that accelerate implementation, reduce risk, and translate ambition into tangible results.
- Distil insights into clear actions you can embed into your transition plans.
- Leverage industry insights to shape market practices, inform policy, and guide future BBP/AREF initiatives.
In our November event, we will gather practical insights that can be integrated into your decarbonisation transition plans.
Our goal is to accelerate the implementation by raising industry awareness of potential future obstacles, particularly around the following themes: .
- Overcoming Policy Uncertainty and Political Backtracking: How can we clarify EPC enforcement, navigate global differences in ESG policy, create more incentives for retrofitting and clean energy, and manage grid capacity challenges?
- Financing and Investment Opportunities for Decarbonisation: What are the most innovative financing models, the role of debt, and the opportunities for public-private partnerships in financing?
- Technology and Innovation for Decarbonisation: What are the best technologies for building retrofits, what roles do digital twins and smart building solutions play, and how can we effectively adopt clean energy systems?
- Addressing Reporting Challenges and Data Gaps: How can we bridge the gap in decarbonisation decisions, standardise ESG and sustainability metrics, and improve post-retrofit monitoring?
- Developing Strong Business Cases for Retrofit Projects: How can we effectively document return on investment models for retrofits, capitalise on co-benefits, integrate climate risk & ESG into valuations, and overcome investment inertia or reluctance?
- Bridging the Owner-Occupier Disconnect: How can we maximise green leases and shared savings models? Do leasing terms need reform? Do we need to rethink tenant engagement strategies and sector involvement?
- Addressing Skills and Knowledge Gaps: How can we upskill the workforce, integrate sustainability into financial and asset management roles, and foster collaboration across key stakeholders: sustainability professionals, investors, operations teams, and others?
The second event in this two-part series will focus on unlocking practical pathways to achieving net zero in the real estate sector.
Building on the findings from our first session – which highlighted five key barriers to decarbonisation – this follow-up event will shift the focus to actionable solutions.
You do not need to have attended the first session to join us. However, a short write-up is available here: Decarbonising Real Estate: The Five Key Challenges You Must Address in 2025.
Key outcomes from this session:
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Gather insights to help shape industry practice and inform policy recommendations.
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Use the findings to steer future BBP and AREF campaigns.
Speakers:
Moderators:
Oliver Light, Head of Sustainable Real Estate, Accenture
Adam Baranowski, Head of Climate Action & Investment, The Better Building Partnership (BBP)
Panellists:
Joey Aoun, Net Zero & Sustainability Lead, Savills Investment Management
Ryan Brown, Sustainability Building Expert, Accenture
+ more to be confirmed
Date:
Tuesday 25 November 2025
Timing:
08:30am - Networking and coffee & breakfast
09:00am - Session starts
12:30pm - Session finishes
Venue:
DLA Piper
160 Aldersgate St
Barbican
London EC1A 4HT
Cost:
- AREF Members: This event is FREE and open to all staff from AREF Fund, Affiliate, Associate and Investor member firms (view our list of members here).
- Better Building Partnership (BBP) Members - please contact email [email protected] directly.
To Book:
Please click here to the blue button to log-in and register to attend.
Enquiries:
For any enquiries relating to this event, please contact us at [email protected].