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A podcast about sustainability, net-zero goals, and the built environment. Focused on what can be done to meet the collective challenges that lie ahead, this is a podcast to share good practice, advice and stories about the importance of sustainable building and our obsession with retrofit. The podcast will bring you interviews with organisations and institutions that play key roles in the move to net-zero homes and the stories of people who are living in them.
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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Part 2 The CarbonLite Retrofit Standard & the Low Energy Buildings Database (LEBD) with Andy Simmonds of the AECB
56:21
56:21
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The AECB is a network of individuals, companies & organisations promoting sustainable building since 1989. With over 1800 members, their aim is to bring together tradespeople, architects, engineers, and builders interested in low carbon retrofit to train and promote best practices, bring about lasting and sustainable change within the construction …
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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Part 1 The CarbonLite Retrofit Standard & the Low Energy Buildings Database (LEBD) with Andy Simmonds of the AECB
28:52
28:52
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28:52
The AECB is a network of individuals, companies & organisations promoting sustainable building since 1989. With over 1800 members their aim is to bring together tradespeople, architects, engineers, builders anyone interested in low carbon retrofit to train and promote best practices. With the aim of bringing about lasting and sustainable change wit…
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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Built Environment – Smarter Transformation with Stephen Good & Douglas Morrison
51:39
51:39
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51:39
Decarbonising the built environment is the greatest engineering challenge the UK has ever faced. We are now in an unprecedented period of transformation that requires innovation at speed and scale. The recent rebranding of Construction Scotland Innovation Centre to Built Environment – Smarter Transformation or BE-ST marked a strategic change in how…
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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The UK Energy Market with Professor Kevin Albertson
47:16
47:16
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47:16
This week we’ve gone back to an episode of the podcast that we recorded in the Autumn of 2021 about the UK Energy Market with Professor Kevin Albertson. The episode was made just after the Ofgem price cap increase in October. We discussed the UK energy market and how it came about, and the opportunity for the Government to get involved, both in reg…
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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#38 Collective Purchasing with Chris Clarke at Scape Group - The power of procurement frameworks to change the dynamic
1:02:45
1:02:45
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Conversation with Chris Clarke, who is the Performance and Improvement Director at Scape Group. Scape is one of the UK's leading public sector procurement authority within construction and services. Scape is a leading provider of services that accelerate project delivery, embed value for money and create a positive procurement experience.…
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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#37 BetaTalk meets Zero Ambitions: we need to do better with our heating, and for our heating engineers
1:12:34
1:12:34
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We met with Nathan Gambling of the Beta Teach platform and BetaTalk podcast. A champion for better heating systems, better training and education, renewables, and clean technology. We talked about the challenges and complexities associated with heating engineering, not just heat pumps, and the need to optimise our existing heating infrastructure in…
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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#36 Good Friday late-night roundtable: should we be building new homes at all and, if so, what?
59:41
59:41
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59:41
After our scheduled guest postponed their appearance we took the opportunity to discuss an issue that's been a little bit fractious in the Zero Ambitions chat: should be building new homes at all? Heads up: it was an evening pod, some drink had been taken; apologies if the early reference to war in Ukraine sounds a bit glib, we aren't able to publi…
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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Central heating problems: systemic issues in design, accessibility, and economics
1:11:28
1:11:28
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1:11:28
Heating problems: systemic issues around design, accessibility, and economics We talked about how poor system design inhibits accessibility (and optimisation), how the heating industry falls short in terms of diversity, and how difficult it is to find the right solutions, for all sorts of reasons.By Jeff, Dan, Sara, Alex & Duncan
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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Retrofit - How to Reach a Wide Audience, with author Laura de Barra
1:00:39
1:00:39
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Laura de Barra is an award winning author, illustrator, and property portfolio developer and has previously consulted on government schemes such as the Green Homes Grant around which she has some key observations. What drew us to Laura was her efforts in trying to empower mainly renters to understand and maintain their homes by sharing tips, tricks…
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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Social Justice in Retrofit with Tara Gbolade and Marianne Heaslip
57:10
57:10
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57:10
Tara Gbolade is an architect, passivhouse designer and cofounder of Gbolade Design Studio, a design-led, community centred practice, focused on sustainable design. She is a member of the Architect’s Declare steering group, sits on a number of design panels and co-founded the Paradigm Network, an organisation that champions black and asian represent…
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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#32 Training for a just transition, with Caitriona Jordan of CSIC
58:10
58:10
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58:10
Caitriona Jordan from Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC) spoke with us about the importance of training in supporting a just transition and shared some of CSIC's plans for accelerating the built environment’s transition to zero carbon. Caitriona is Head of retrofit programmes, one of four interlinked programmes across which CSIC deliver…
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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#31 Usable Buildings with Adrian Leaman & Bill Bordass
1:07:17
1:07:17
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Episode #31 with Adrian Leaman & Bill Bordass . If you’ve started looking into building performance and post occupancy evaluation at all you’ll soon come across research and tools that Adrian Leaman and Bill Bordass have had a hand in. Together they were involved in the creation of the BUS methodology, the Soft Landings framework, Probe, which late…
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/government-launches-the-national-retrofitting-scheme/ https://www.gov.ie/en/biography/c5008-eamon-ryan/ https://www.seai.ie/By Sara, Jeff, Duncan and Alex
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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Ciarán Cuffe MEP on driving the EU to net zero
51:27
51:27
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51:27
A great listen this week with a seasoned and experienced activist and politician. 20 years after an EU directive introduced energy performance certificates for buildings across Europe, Ciarán Cuffe explains why the directive is being recast to drive the push to net zero.By Sara, Jeff
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings Patrick Harvie - No Pathway to tackling Climate Change without More Ambition
57:08
57:08
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57:08
"There is no path to meeting our climate targets that doesn't involve much more ambition [on buildings]. By the end of this decade, we need to see a million homes converted to zero-emission heating systems. We need to see a much bigger emphasis on energy efficiency.” Patrick Harvie, the Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings at the Scottish Government,…
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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Demand reduction, heat networks and healing our homes
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39:07
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39:07
There's no question that we must decarbonise our housing stock. But we believe there must be a comprehensive approach to demanding the reduction in the first place, and not just a focus on low carbon heating sources. As part of this approach, retrofit can deliver so many other benefits besides more efficient buildings. Healthier places for communit…
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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What makes for a successful retrofit? Evaluating what really matters with Lisa Pasquale
1:01:06
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1:01:06
Lisa is one of the most experienced building performance consultants working in the UK. She has extensive knowledge of in-use building operation and management, building physics, low-energy services, and fabric design for new build and retrofits domestic and non-domestic buildings. She takes an evidence-based approach to building performance and is…
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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Campaigning for Retrofit with ACAN and the NEF
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52:10
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52:10
Putting our time and energy where our mouths are! Want to know more about taking action on making the changes we need to see around decarbonising our homes? Tune in and hear more about an exciting collaboration between the NEF and ACAN Here are some links referred to in the episode https://greathomesupgrade.org/ https://www.householdsdeclare.org/ J…
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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Putting People Front and Centre with Jon Daley from Magenta Living Housing Association
1:03:31
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1:03:31
Reference is made some reports and articles in this episode, which we share here. Each Home Counts Review: https://www.eachhomecounts.com/ Housing Quality Network article: "Four key ingredients for sustainability in housing" by Jon Dtraaley https://hqnetwork.co.uk/news/opinion-things-can-only-get-greener-four-key-ingredients-for-sustainability-in-h…
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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EnerPHit at Scale with James Traynor of ECD Architects
51:13
51:13
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An interview with James Traynor of ECD Architects about retrofit, EnerPHit, Portsmouth's Wilmcote House project (the largest scale retrofit of its type, in its day), and James's fabulous book about EnerPHit. https://www.ribabooks.com/enerphit-a-step-by-step-guide-to-low-energy-retrofit_9781859468197 https://ecda.co.uk/projects/wilmcote-house-2/…
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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Financing Retrofit with Rufus Grantham of Bankers without Boundaries
55:06
55:06
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55:06
Bankers Without Boundaries (‘BwB’), an innovator in finance, is a not-for-profit powered by former investment bankers to assist high impact projects that benefit the environment and social good. BwB works with governments, institutions, cities, and foundations to mobilize capital advisory and research services. They apply financial concepts and str…
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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Retrofit Publications into Action with Barbara Lantschner
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1:02:25
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This week we spoke to Barbara Lantschner of John Gilbert Architects. JGA have been dealing with retrofit for many years and specifically with developing monitoring processes that allow them to get to know the existing buildings that they are working with in order to come up with the most appropriate retrofit interventions and solutions. We discusse…
This week Rachael Owens, head of sustainability at BGY and coordinator at ACAN and Peter Smith of Beyond Zero Homes talk to us about all things embodied carbon and moving towards circular principles in construction. Rachael was involved in the campaign to regulate embodied carbon in the construction industry launched by ACAN earlier this year, with…
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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Fuel Poverty & A Just Transition with Alex Warren at The Wise Group
1:06:17
1:06:17
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It's easy sometimes to forget the human element of fuel poverty, and whilst recent energy cost rises are an annoyance to the vast majority reading this post, they are nothing more than that. However, we need to understand the human cost to over three million households in the United Kingdom who can't afford to heat their home and the misery and des…
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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Smart Homes with Dane Ralston of Internet of Things Company IoPT
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52:32
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52:32
Internet of things company IoPT have been providing remote monitoring equipment to social landlords now for several years. We hear the benefits that this type of monitoring can bring to both tenants and landlords and how it can help identify where help is needed, and savings can be made.By Sara Edmonds, Jeff Colley
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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Architects Climate Action Network with Sara Edmonds
1:05:24
1:05:24
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1:05:24
Conversation with Sara, Dan, Jeff and Alex on the work that ACAN are doing and how we can look to a grassroots movement in promoting the retrofitting of our homes in a sustainable way to tackle climate change.By Jeff, Dan, Sara, Alex & Duncan
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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The Importance of Good Communications with Dan & Alex from Everything is User Experience
43:29
43:29
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43:29
Discussion with Jeff, Alex and Dan from User Experience is Everything on CoP26 and how communication is critical to how we progress sustainability and radical change in the built environment.https://www.everythingisuserexperience.com/By Jeff, Dan, Sara, Alex & Duncan
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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West Dunbartonshire District Heating & the Queens Quay Project with Morten Duedahl
35:36
35:36
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35:36
The episode features lessons learnt from district heating and the work that West Dunbartonshire have been doing on developing heat networks.By Jeff, Dan, Sara, Alex & Duncan
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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Climate Change & Democracy with Kevin Albertson
13:07
13:07
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13:07
Professor of Economics at Manchester Metropolitan University Kevin Albertson makes the point that we can't put off the change that is required now for future generations and that we need to change our socio-economic systems in a way that we use less energy and the energy we do use is done in a sustainable and equitable for everyone in society.…
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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Low Carbon Heat Networks & Clean Air with Dave Pearson
35:04
35:04
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35:04
Dave Pearson from Star Renewables talks about district heating during CoP26By Jeff, Dan, Sara, Alex & Duncan
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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Financing Retrofit at Scale, Green Neighbourhoods as a Service - Rufus Grantham at Bankers Without Boundaries
55:06
55:06
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55:06
Bankers Without Boundaries (‘BwB’), an innovator in finance, is a not-for-profit powered by former investment bankers to assist high impact projects that benefit the environment and social good. BwB works with governments, institutions, cities and foundations to provide advisory and research services to mobilize capital. They apply financial concep…
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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Climate Change & The Decade of Disruption with Kevin Albertson Professor of Economics at Manchester Metropolitan University
9:30
9:30
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9:30
Professor of Economics at Manchester Metropolitan University Kevin Albertson makes the point that we can't put off the change that is required now for future generations and that we need to change our socio-economic systems in a way that we use less energy and the energy we do use is done in a sustainable and equitable for everyone in society.…
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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Build Once for the Future - President of the RIAS Christina Gaiger
38:49
38:49
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38:49
Christina Gaiger is the current President of The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) and is committed to the creative reuse of buildings, alongside the construction of a supportive network for the profession, to give traction to the value of good design.Following graduation, Christina has worked on a wide variety of projects, inclu…
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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Redefining Productivity with Kevin Albertson Professor of Economics at Manchester Metropolitan University
13:04
13:04
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This week Professor of Economics at Manchester Metropolitan University is giving us a concept or idea on economics the environment and climate change each day.By Jeff, Dan, Sara, Alex & Duncan
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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The Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) with Dr Jan Rosenow
39:03
39:03
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39:03
Dr Jan Rosenow joins us on the first day of CoP26 to talk about the decarbonisation of our buildings and how we transition to zero carbon heating. The conversation includes the electrification of heat and how we ensure a just transition.As the director of European programmes, Dr. Jan Rosenow leads RAP’s initiatives in Europe on power market design …
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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CoP26 C& The Race to Zero with Bex Porter the Built Environment Lead in the High Level Champions Team
23:53
23:53
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23:53
This week we are joined by Bex Porter who is the Built Environment Lead for the High-Level Champions TeamThe UN High-Level Climate Champions are spearheading the race to a cleaner, safer, healthier and more resilient world. Through our campaigns, Race to Resilience and Race to Zero, we are elevating ambition and mobilizing credible climate action a…
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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Danish District Heating with Morten Jordt Duedahl at the Danish Board of District Heating
49:09
49:09
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49:09
Morten is the Business Development Manager at DBDH (Danish Board of District Heating) in charge of all activities in Western Europe.The DBDH is a Danish member organization with members from the entire Danish district heating sector. Thier mission is to “Promote District Energy for a Sustainable City Transformation”. Morten works with governments, …
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Passivhaus - Setting the Standard with Michael Jones at City of York Council
42:02
42:02
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42:02
Conversation with Michael Jones, the Head of Housing Delivery and Asset Management at York City Council.Michael is the strategic lead for all asset elements of housing at the authority. He is passionate about zero-carbon housing delivery and the energy efficiency of retrofit.Part of a team tasked with leading initiatives that improve the health and…
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The Anthropocene Architecture School with Scott McAulay
1:04:46
1:04:46
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1:04:46
This week I caught up with Scott McAulay, from the Anthropocene Architecture School.Scott is an architect who has been writing about climate change and the built environment, and the need for radical change and to reshape the architectural education model.I discussed Scott's journey and what has caused him to rebel and how the Anthropocene architec…
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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The UK Energy Market with Professor Kevin Albertson
47:18
47:18
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47:18
Discussion with Professor Kevin Albertson on the UK Energy Market and the causes of the current energy issues regards increased costs and supply, as well as some of the policy solutions that might be available to us.Prof. Kevin Albertson is an eclectic economist with a background in statistics and economics. He is a member of the Decent Work and Pr…
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Zero Ambitions Podcast
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The Retrofit Challenge & PAS 2035 with Dr Peter Rickaby
1:08:05
1:08:05
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1:08:05
Peter Rickaby qualified as an architect at Cambridge University and holds a doctorate in energy studies from the Open University. He worked in leading architectural practices in New Zealand and London before a thirty-five-year career as an energy and sustainability consultant in buildings and housing. He has published numerous technical guides to e…
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CoP 26 - Climate Change & The Built Environment - United Nations Centre of Excellence with Scott Foster and Jenna Cramer
59:27
59:27
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59:27
Interview with Scott Foster, who is the Director of Sustainable Energy at the United Nations Economic Council for Europe (UNECE), and Jenna Cramer who is Executive Director at the Green Building Alliance in Pittsburgh and part of the UN Centre of Excellence programme.By Jeff, Dan, Sara, Alex & Duncan
