Speakers announced for new Net Zero Stage at DCW

16 Mar 2022

The organisers of Digital Construction Week have revealed the event will feature a brand-new theatre – the Net Zero Stage – this year. Taking place on 18 – 19 May 2022 at ExCeL London, the show is Europe’s leading innovation and technology event for the built environment.

Ollie Hughes, Co-founder of Digital Construction Week, explains: “We’re excited to introduce the Net Zero Stage at DCW this year. We’re working in partnership with independent industry group ZERO to produce a two-day programme packed with exciting and informative sessions.”

DCW

‘Embrace new ways of working’

James Bowles, from ZERO, comments: “Construction of our built environment accounts for an estimated 12% of all CO2e emissions. We need to change this. We need to scale low carbon materials and methods of construction.

He spoke about the ‘need to quickly embrace new ways of working and drive adoption of technologies that reduce emissions’ and the ‘need to use digital tools to make carbon visible and accountable to project teams’.

He adds: “We need to reduce the emissions released from material extraction, transportation, processing, and all construction activities.

“ZERO is a growing industry group that wants to support the drive to low carbon construction. We’re excited to partner with DCW to deliver a series of presentations and panels in at this year’s show.

“The Net Zero Stage will include presentations from leading organisations, exemplar projects, and exciting new technologies. We’re working hard to create original content and see things differently.”

Ollie Hughes continues: “Sessions on the Net Zero Stage will focus on how digital tools, methods and skills are improving the performance of projects and leading to lower emissions.

“And how maximising DfMA at renewably powered facilities can move us towards net zero emissions. They’ll also explore material selection, construction plant, equipment, labour and transport, and the role of technology and digitalisation in these areas.”

Speakers from Amazon, WSP, Construction Innovation Hub & more

A sneak preview of some of the bright minds and big thinkers who will be speaking on the Net Zero Stage at DCW this year has already been revealed.

Among the expert speakers joining the line-up are Bella Nguyen, PhD, Sustainability Program Manager for Amazon Transportation Services; Dale Sinclair, Director, Head of Digital Innovation at WSP; and Alison Watson MBE, Founder and Chief Executive at Class Of Your Own Limited.

The Net Zero Stage will also host the Digital Twin Fanclub with…

– Neil Thompson, Construction Innovation Hub Programme Lead for the Centre for Digital Built Britain and Director of Digital at Atkins
– Vicki Reynolds, Chief Technology Officer at i3PT
– Henry Fenby-Taylor, Head of Information Management for the Centre for Digital Built Britain
– Simon Evans, Digital Energy Leader at Arup and Delivery Team Lead for the National Digital Twin Programme at Centre for Digital Built Britain.

They will assemble to record a live podcast ahead of the day one drinks reception.

The full programme will be announced soon. To be kept up to date with new sessions and speakers, register for free at www.digitalconstructionweek.com.

Innovating to net zero

It’s not just in the theatres at DCW where sustainability will be in focus. With the industry concentrated on delivering net zero ambitions, the central exhibition will showcase the cutting-edge innovations that are already driving change in the built environment.

Visitors will see first-hand the progress being made towards lowering emissions using emerging technologies, which include…

– digital twins
– augmented reality
– information management
– automation and AI
– DfMA
– robotics

And more!

Ollie Hughes concludes: “It’s more important than ever that the industry gets together to connect, collaborate and innovate to deliver a net zero future.

“We’re working hard to curate a stand-out event that acts as a platform for change by connecting decision makers with those developing transformative technologies for digital construction. We hope you can join us this May and be part of the future of the built environment.”