Edge Debate 199: Climate action is the new normal…it’s the economy sensible!
Despite the sound and fury of culture wars, dealing with climate change is now a clear political and economic imperative, increasingly framed by the need for greater energy security. While a majority of the UK public remains concerned about climate impacts, the overall sense of urgency has recently declined; the sector must now navigate a space where broad support for the end goal of net zero co-exists with growing division on how and when we get there. How should industry respond to the powerful economic arguments for change while engaging a public whose views are shifting? What are the new norms?
Chair:
Rachel Brisley, Head of Planning and Place, Ipsos
Speakers:
“How is the economy responding and how should it respond into the future?”
Swenja Surminski, Professor in Practice at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, LSE and Managing Director Climate, Marsh McLennan
In response, how are businesses of all sizes gearing up and why?
Stephen Hill, Associate Director, Arup
Sarah Castle, Co-founder and Director, IFDO
How is the investment market responding?
Joe Jack Williams, Head of Sustainability, Bywater
Louise Clarke, Group Head of Sustainability, Berkeley Group
Thursday 14th May 2026, 10.30-11.30, ExCel, London
Reference publications:
· Public attitudes to net zero and climate policy
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Edge Debate 200: What should 2030+ look like?
2030, along with 2050, have long been held as significant dates in climate change and nature recovery action planning. As each year moves towards the first of these seminal dates, the important of achieving change becomes ever more urgent. We know that delivering positive solutions will need effective collaboration and a shared vision. We invited 6 young professionals in architecture, engineering, construction, development, planning and nature-based solutions to share their visions.
Chair:
Simon Rayner, Policy Analyst, Climate Change Committee
Speakers:
Munashe Mhemba, Graduate Planner, Marrons and Building the Future Young Planner of the Year 2025
Darcy Arnold-Jones, Architect and Circular Economy Lead – Marks Barfield, member of the Edge, the Circular Do Tank and Architects Declare
Kimberley Ertl, Engineer and Senior Sustainability Consultant, Expedition Engineering
Thomas Yunqing Bai, Associate and BIM Practice Lead, Ares Landscape Architects, Member of the Landscape Institute’s Knowledge and Practice Committee
Ahmed Gilani, BEng Architectural Engineering, VP Construction Society, University of Reading and Constructionarium alumnus
Joe Carter, Design Manager, Criterion Capital and member of YADA