The _shift conference returned for its third edition on November 7, 2024, at Newcastle University’s award-winning Henry Daysh Building, continuing Space Group’s mission to aid in the decarbonisation of the built environment. Building on the momentum of previous years, this year’s sold-out event brought together hundreds of in-person and online attendees, fostering collaboration among built environment professionals, environmental leaders, and those eager to drive positive change across the North East and beyond.
The day began with registration and networking, providing attendees the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals. Rob Charlton, CEO of Space Group, opened the conference with a warm welcome, striking a thoughtful balance between the urgency of addressing the climate crisis and marking the industry’s progress. Chris Hines MBE, Founder of A Grain of Sand and a returning chair for _shift, then introduced the program. Known for his ability to spark meaningful dialogue, Hines outlined the goals for this year’s event: to explore practical solutions for decarbonisation, foster collaboration, and inspire attendees to lead change within their organisations and communities.
This year, _shift was honoured to welcome John Elkington, Founder of Volans, renowned inventor of the triple bottom line and a globally acclaimed authority on sustainability, as its keynote speaker. Widely referred to as the “Godfather of Sustainability,” Elkington delivered an inspiring presentation titled Regenerating Our Future: The Challenges and Opportunities. Elkington explored the paradigm shifts needed to combat the climate crisis, emphasising that the next 10–15 years will be the most transformative period of our lifetimes. Reflecting on the global landscape, including recent political developments in the United States, he encouraged optimism and resilience, reminding attendees that the momentum for sustainability is a global movement too robust for any single political regime to reverse. His insights touched on the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic challenges and the critical role of regeneration. Elkington’s ability to distil complex issues into actionable strategies left the audience energised and ready to engage in the sessions ahead.
The spotlight then shifted to industry pioneers. Alex Cropley, Head of Business Development and Partnerships at Low Carbon Materials, presented on the company’s mission to decarbonise construction. Building on their impactful involvement in the inaugural _shift conference, Cropley shared updates on their groundbreaking work, including innovative case studies demonstrating how their materials are reducing carbon footprints across major UK projects. Cropley’s presentation underscored the importance of innovation and collaboration in achieving sustainability goals, inspiring attendees to rethink traditional practices in construction and material sourcing.
Up next, Catherine Sinclair, KTP Associate and Architect specialising in Zero Carbon at SPACE Architects, took the stage to discuss the vital role of early-stage design decisions in reducing whole-life carbon. Drawing on her work through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Northumbria University, Sinclair shared research findings and practical approaches for integrating sustainability from the outset of projects. Her insights were particularly valuable to architects and designers seeking to align their practices with net-zero targets. Sinclair’s recognition as one of RIBA Journal’s Rising Stars 2024 further highlighted her contribution to the field, making her presentation a standout moment of the day.
The morning session concluded with a panel discussion titled The Hidden Footprint: Reducing Embodied Carbon. Moderated by Chris Hines, the panel featured Catherine Sinclair, Alex Cropley, and Stephen Dam, Retrofit Lead at Sewell Group. Together, they explored the often-overlooked challenge of embodied carbon in construction and shared strategies for reducing its impact. Audience members engaged the panel with thoughtful questions, seeking advice on balancing sustainability with client priorities and navigating the complexities of early-stage decision-making. The panel’s practical insights provided attendees with actionable takeaways to implement in their own projects.
Following a networking lunch, our second keynote, Emily Penn, Founder and Director of eXXpedition, delivered a captivating keynote titled What’s Your Superpower? Penn, who graduated from Cambridge with a degree in architecture, shared her transformative journey from aspiring architect to ocean advocate. Her story began with a decision to travel to Australia by boat rather than plane—a choice that exposed her to the devastating impact of microplastics on the ocean. This experience led her to found eXXpedition, a groundbreaking initiative focused on removing microplastics from the ocean and inspiring systemic change. Penn’s presentation highlighted the power of individual actions in creating collective impact. Her call to action resonated strongly with the audience, driving home the importance of personal accountability.
Following Penn, Sophie Simpson, Associate Director and Sustainability Engineer at Cundall, presented on Sustainable Smart Societies. Her session delved into the current performance of cities and explored strategies for future-proofing urban environments. Simpson’s expertise in sustainable engineering provided a comprehensive look at the intersection of technology, design, and sustainability, offering a roadmap for creating smarter, greener cities.
Joining us from Northern Ireland, Deborah O’Hanlon, Group Sustainability and Quality Manager at Henry Brothers, delivered the last presentation of the day titled Sustainability, Our Golden Thread. She highlighted the company’s award-winning net-zero projects and the initiatives that earned them the prestigious King Charles Award for Business in Sustainability this year. O’Hanlon’s session showcased real-world examples of successful sustainability initiatives, providing attendees with inspiration and practical guidance for implementing similar strategies in their organisations.
The final panel discussion, Sustainability by Design: Tackling Carbon at Every Stage, brought together Deborah O’Hanlon, Sophie Simpson, and Oliver Heidrich, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Newcastle University. The panel explored the challenges and opportunities of designing for sustainability across the building lifecycle. Audience questions sparked a dynamic conversation, with panellists offering insights into integrating sustainability during the design and construction of infrastructure. The discussion underscored the importance of cross-sector collaboration in achieving net-zero targets.
Rob Charlton, CEO of Space Group, closed the event with a heartfelt thank-you to the speakers, panellists, and attendees. Reflecting on the inspiring conversations and ideas shared throughout the day, he celebrated the conference’s continued impact in driving meaningful change within the built environment. The conversations and connections made at the conference will certainly fuel progress in the months and years ahead. As shift 2024 came to a close, it was clear that the event had achieved its mission: to inspire, educate, and empower attendees to take bold steps in the fight against climate change.
