Build Green Now 2026 | Better Buildings, Better Communities, Better Business

About the Conference
Better Buildings, Better Communities, Better Business.
Build Green Now 2026 will take place in the historic Great Hall at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, bringing together Ireland’s leading voices from across the built environment to explore how sustainability continues to drive business resilience, community wellbeing and national progress.

At a time when sustainability is facing increasing pushback across Europe and globally, Build Green Now reaffirms a clear message: sustainability is not a barrier to growth – it is the pathway to it. From accelerating affordable housing delivery to strengthening Ireland’s climate action and circular economy ambitions, sustainability remains central to creating a prosperous and resilient future.

Hear from the thinkers, innovators and doers who are moving at pace, turning ambition into action, and embedding sustainability across design, construction, finance, policy and operations.

If you want to be at the cutting edge of sustainable building, you won’t want to miss Build Green Now 2026.

Why Attend Build Green 2026 Conference?
✔ Gain Expert Insights – Learn from top international and Irish speakers on circular construction, sustainable materials, and regulatory shifts
✔ Network with Industry Leaders – Engage with policymakers, sustainability pioneers, and business leaders
✔ Discover Innovative Solutions – Explore new business opportunities, best practices, and case studies to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

Agenda
Coffee and lunch will be provided

10:00 – Introduction

10:10 – Launch of Building A Zero Carbon Ireland’s Second Policy Scorecard

10:20 – Welcome Address
James Browne TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage
10:30 – Panel
Adding Value Through Sustainability
This panel hears from the CEOs of leading businesses on the added value of sustainability for their businesses.

Chaired by Laura Heuston, Co-Founder, SustainabilityWorks

Averil Power, CEO, Clúid
Paul Brown, CEO, Sisk
Colin MacDonald, CEO, Fine Grain Property
11:15 – Coffee Break
11:45 – Case Study
Fǽlledby district creates a new typology between urban and rural as Copenhagen’s first all timber neighbourhood for 7000 people designed in harmony with landscape and ecology

Signe Kongsbro, Global Director, Future Resilient Design at Ramboll

12:15 – Panel
The Sustainable Solution to Affordable Housing
Chaired by Alison Gilliland, Executive Director, Construction Workers Health Trust

Eamon Ryan, Chair, European Commission Housing Advisory Board
Deirdre Timmons, Sustainable Finance Lead, Director, at PwC, Member of the EU Platform for Sustainable Finance
Adrian Joyce, Director, Renovate Europe Campaign

13:00 – Lunch Break

14:00 – IGBC Awards

14:10 – Presentation
Practical, technical and economic impact of measuring and reducing embodied carbon.
Kallum Desai, Global ScopeX Carbon Practice Lead & Principal Sustainability Consultant, AECOM

14:25 – Presentation
Fostering innovation in Scotland
Lynsey Brydson, Director, Built Environment – Smarter Transformation (BE-ST)

14:30 – Panel
Bringing Innovation to Market
Des O’Toole, Market Development Manager / President IrBEA, Coillte
Lynsey Brydson, BE-ST, Director, Built Environment – Smarter Transformation (BE-ST)

15:15 – Closing Remarks
Alex White, Chair, Climate Change Advisory Council