Yorkshire Sustainability Festival – Day Two: Future Cities
Dive deep into our infrastructure in energy, construction and transport to water and housing
Wed 19 Jun | £275
08:30 - 18:00
Leeds
Cloth Hall Court, Quebec St, Leeds LS1 2HA
Retrofitting and creating new sustainable infrastructure in our towns and cities is a crucial part of the journey to building (literally!) a sustainable future. To build the cities of the future requires a holistic and integrated approach to urban planning and development that considers the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic factors.
We’re pleased to be bringing back and expanding our Future Cities conference day for year 2, as we dig deeper into the conversation around the circular economy in construction, how we move from place to place, creating truly regenerative designs, adopting new forms of energy, using ‘waste’ materials, and of course, really importantly, who’s going to do these new jobs of the future, and how we’re going to train and upskill them!
Check out our full agenda below!
Benefits of attending:
Whether you’re a seasoned sustainability expert or just starting out, this festival is for anyone who wants to hear from experts in the field and learn more about initiatives that are already happening across Yorkshire and the UK.
Across the conference, there will be lots of opportunity to network and connect with peers in our exhibition hall, take part in interactive brand experiences in our brand activation zone in City Square, and develop your understanding through our panels, workshops and keynotes!
The Yorkshire Sustainability Festival is a place where industry thought leaders come together to network with like-minded individuals all committed to making a difference. We welcome everyone from the start-up community through to established businesses who want their voices heard on issues that matter.
Exhibition Hall
Network with our exhibitors:
Leeds City Council | Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission | University of Leeds
Green Economy | madebystudio | AD:Venture
The Data City | Biffa | Boxxe
Beyondly | ImageCo | Severfield
WRM | Salix Finance | Re:Generation Earth | Oxfam
Ahead Partnership | Trust Electric Heating | Network Rail
Brand Activation Zone:
Our brand activation zone will be taking over City Square in Central Leeds as a showcase of sustainability in action. Try delicious home grown organic veg, supplied by Incredible Edible and cooked by a host of chefs. Network in the Thors Tipi, sponsored by Lloyds Bank. See the evolution of electric cars with Lotus and electric buses with First Bus. See bees grow their hives realtime with Band of Bees. Buy your healthy and sustainable lunch from one of our vegan and vegetarian food trucks, provided by Caterly.
You can also sign up for Day 1 of our festival – Circular Economy.
Big Green Gathering
Included as part of your conference ticket.
Come along and network with like minded individuals.
19th June 2024
17.00 till 19.00
On the day
Keynote: Kevin McCloud
Join Kevin McCloud as he gives an inspirational keynote about what the future of housing can look like in Yorkshire, if we're ambitious enough to take inspiration from some of the worlds leading sustainable housing projects
Opening Speech from Mayor Tracy Brabin
Join us as Mayor Tracy Brabin opens day 2 of the Yorkshire Sustainability Conference
Opening Speech from Professor Nick Plant
Join us as Professor Nick Plant shares the work that is putting the University of Leeds at the forefront of tackling the world climate crisis
You’re crazy for taking the bus! hosted by Ed Gillespie
In a lively exploration of transport culture Ed explains why only the bus holds the key to affordable, flexible, rapid reimagination of mass public transit - tackling climate change, street level air quality and liberating civic public space in the process. Ed has had many roles in his 25 year career, from international marine biologist, through environmental manager at London Transport, to co-founder of Futerra and a Director of Greenpeace UK. He’s currently a facilitator on responsible leadership with the Forward Institute and one half of The Futurenauts.
Construction Panel: Harnessing the power of Yorkshire’s Built Environment Sector to create a sustainable region
Yorkshire’s construction industry is growing at a faster rate than the rest of the UK. Designing, developing, retrofitting and building sustainable cities and towns in Yorkshire is already transforming our built environment and will continue to do so over the next century. This panel brings together leaders from within the public, private and third sector to explore how we can leverage Yorkshire's built environment to build a sustainable county. We’ll discuss the latest innovations within construction, urban planning and infrastructure, and we’ll strategise on how to shape the region’s built environment to put sustainability at the heart of decisions being made.
The 8 Principles of Successful Optimism hosted by Mark Stevenson
What are the key principles behind personal, team and organisational change? There are 8, and you can apply them tomorrow .
Water Panel: Diving Deep: Navigating Sustainability in Yorkshire’s Water Management
Join us as we bring together experts from within the water sector to explore resourceful solutions for tackling the challenges within Yorkshire’s water, conserving our resources, strengthening our resilience to tackling the impacts of climate change, and ensuring equitable access to clean water for communities across our region.
Energy Panel: Yorkshire’s Net Zero Journey: who’s powering the energy transition in Yorkshire and how do we all help?
Yorkshire has been pinpointed as a ‘Net Zero Economic Hotspot’ (YHCC). Statistics shared by the CBI in 2023 show that in Yorkshire & The Humber, the net zero economy is stronger and more productive than in London and the South East. An update to this report in 2024, developed with the CBI and Leeds’ own The Data City showed that there’s no north/south divide when it comes to the Net Zero Economy & jobs in this side of the economy pay just under £10,000 more than the national average! Yorkshire’s green energy market is littered with incredible opportunity to grow our Net Zero Energy sector from growing solar farms to onshore and offshore wind farms, hydrogen energy and heat networks. Hear from some of the pioneers leading the way across our region.
Transport Panel: The benefits of creating a sustainable transport network in Yorkshire.
Yorkshire’s transport network is slowing down our growth, expensive for our people and fragmented in it’s approach. But don’t be disheartened, things are changing. Across the region, green, clean, affordable and reliable transport networks are being put at the heart of public policy decisions - over the next decade, we’re going to see a much improved transport system in Yorkshire. Hear from some of the leaders at the heart of this change on why it’s so important - and what we can do to support!
Skills Panel: Building a Sustainable Future brick by brick: How do we Develop Green Skills in the Built Environment
Bringing together leaders from across local govt, higher education, further education, business and young people, this panel will explore the development of green skills in the built environment sector. We will delve into the strategies needed to equip the workforce of the next generation to drive forward sustainability in construction and infrastructure projects.
People and Place Panel: Empowering, Connecting, and Transforming Yorkshire: Bridging the gap between our People, Infrastructure, and Mobility
Join this panel to hear leaders explore the strategies needed to empower Yorkshire’s communities; from digital connectivity to sustainable transport, we’ll delve into innovative approaches to bridging the gap between people, infrastructure, and mobility for a brighter and more sustainable future.
Housing Panel: Greening Yorkshire’s homes for the future: Innovations in Sustainable Home Construction and Retrofitting
Bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and advocates, this panel explores cutting-edge approaches to sustainable home construction and retrofitting in Yorkshire. From renewable energy integration to eco-friendly materials, join us as we delve into the forefront of green building practices shaping the future of housing in the region.
A 19th Century sustainability vision and the 21st Century Passivhaus project bringing it to life
Over Summer 2024 Alan James and his wife Anne will complete the Warksburn Old Church project, creating a luxury holiday rental property in Northumberland, believed to be the world’s first conversion of a former church to Passivhaus standards. By an uncanny twist of history, the church was originally funded by the eminent Victorian, Sir George Barclay Bruce. His Presidential Address to the Institution of Civil Engineers in 1887 was the very first time a vision of renewable generation and storage of electricity was ever expressed. Now Anne and Alan have made that vision a reality in the very building Sir George himself built. Hear their journey so far...
Co-creation: Tools for your just transition hosted by TUC
What is a just transition? What is co-creation? Join us to learn lessons from workers across Yorkshire on how we achieve sustainable enterprises in a fair and equitable way through networks, social dialogue, and inclusive planning.
Green, It’s Everyone’s Business hosted by Engie
Going green. It is a big statement and there are big challenges ahead for everyone. So, what is the challenge? What does it mean for businesses and what role renewable energy can play in the future. Our talk today gives some insight into the challenges ahead and how renewable energy can help transform your business and help you on the path to net-zero.
Unlocking Energy Savings: Your Journey to Sustainable Buildings
Embark on a journey to decarbonise you’re building and achieve net zero. This workshop covers all aspects of securing funding, unlocking energy savings, and reinvesting sustainable solutions. Learn how to make your building greener and more efficient.
Creating Sustainable Events hosted by SAIL
The "Creating Sustainable Events" workshop aims to delve into the environmental impact of event management and the importance of adopting environmentally sustainable practices. The workshop will be led by Jamie Saye, co-founder and general manager of SAIL who will share insights and experiences gained from their involvement in major cultural events, including LEEDS 2023 and the upcoming Bradford 2025, UK City of Culture
Steel: Balancing Strength and Sustainability hosted by Severfield
How is steel the sustainable choice for the future?
Conscientious Leadership in a Circular Economy hosted by Peter Brown
This talk will explore why it is so important for leaders to lead with a conscience in the circular economy, with purpose, principles, authenticity and courage. Why leaders need to have a balanced stakeholder approach, look at the long-term and move from merely doing what is necessary and required by compliance to experimenting and testing assumptions to deliver value from the circular economy.
