7 sustainability skills every built environment professional needs

With environmental, social, and governance (ESG) regulations tightening and penalties set to rise, businesses across the UK are in a race against time to decarbonise their operations by 2050. As…

The built environment needs sustainability leadership

If our sector is to successfully address its role in the climate crisis, we need leaders with sustainability expertise to drive and influence organisational change. The built environment’s impact on…

5 circular business models (and how they can give you a competitive advantage)

Did you know that the built environment and construction industry is responsible for generating one-third of the world’s waste and at least 40% of its carbon dioxide emissions? When compared…

Pursuing a career in a male-dominated industry – a Q&A with UCEM Programme Leader Priti Lodhia

As part of our Be Part of the Change campaign, we sat down with Priti Lodhia, Tutor at UCEM, to discuss her experiences as a woman in the built environment…

How to select the right ESG goals and targets for your business

The best way to adopt, set and measure ESG goals in your organisation can vary greatly. Here are some considerations for yours. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues are quickly…

What are the modern methods of construction (and how do they work)?

Find out the new and innovative trends that are helping the construction sector address its impact on the climate crisis. To address the worsening climate crisis, we need immediate and…

How higher education can encourage and support more women into the built environment

In the first article of our Be Part of the Change campaign, Charlotte Thackeray explores UCEM’s work to improve representation among women. By Charlotte Thackeray, Outreach and Inclusion Lead at…

Understanding green building certifications: why should you get one?

More and more developers, businesses and homeowners are pursuing sustainability certification for their buildings, but is it actually worth it? The buildings our sector creates are at the centre of…

The criticism of ESG: why is it becoming controversial?

Despite their growing popularity, ESG policies and practices have attracted criticism from many. Here’s why. Profit and appetite for risk are no longer the sole factor considered in investment decisions. Amid…

Net zero carbon buildings explained: here’s why they matter

If we’re to address our role in the ongoing climate crisis, the built environment needs to explore and champion the potential for net zero carbon buildings. In 2023, the UK…

A guide to retrofitting (and how it could help us reach net zero)

Retrofitting could be the answer to how the built environment addresses its role in the climate crisis whilst satisfying demand for new buildings and houses. The UK has a problem…

Are mixed-use developments the future of construction?

Mixed-use properties could provide the solution to several of the biggest challenges facing the built environment. Here’s how. For several years, the UK has been in the middle of what…