The construction industry’s role and responsibilities in relation to climate change, net zero and decarbonisation will come under the spotlight at UK Construction Week Birmingham 2025.

Taking place at the NEC from 20 September to 2 October, the importance of climate resilience will be high on the agenda.

Alongside key partnerships with National Retrofit Hub, UK Green Building Council and the Carbon Trust, the show will see the return of UKCW’s popular Net Zero Trail which will highlight the latest eco innovations and ideas driving the construction industry.

The event – which is celebrating its 10^th anniversary in 2025 - will host a wide range of talks and workshops which focus on sustainability and climate change. Highlights include:

Main Stage
Net Zero or Bust: Real strategies for decarbonising construction - 30 September, 1.15pm
This panel explores how to cut whole-life carbon using sustainable materials, smarter design, and retrofit. It also looks at how the transition will be funded - through both public and private finance. Hear from experts turning ambition into action and learn what it takes to future-proof your projects.

Net Zero Hub
From Roadmap to Reality: Turning climate resilience plans into on-site action - 30 September, 10.30am
The UK Green Building Council’s (UKGBC) Climate Resilience Roadmap sets out a clear vision - but how do we turn that into real change on projects today? This session dives into the most actionable parts of the roadmap, from climate risk assessments and adaptive design strategies to supply chain readiness and retrofit priorities. Join UKGBC as they share practical steps, tools, and case studies to help you embed climate resilience into your next project.

Net Zero and Infrastructure Resilience: Building for a changing climate – 1 October, 12.15pm
This discussion explores the critical crossover between decarbonisation and climate adaptation—highlighting how civil engineers can embed whole-life carbon thinking into every stage of project delivery. The Civil Engineering Contractors’ Association (CECA) shares insights on long-term planning, material resilience, and what it takes to futureproof infrastructure investments.

Building A Sustainable Future: Retrofitting for climate resilience - 1 October, 2pm
With buildings responsible for a quarter of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, retrofitting is a critical tool in the race to net-zero. This panel dives into practical strategies for transforming existing structures into climate-resilient, low-carbon assets - from smart energy upgrades to sustainable materials.

Housing Action Hub
Futureproof Housing: Building climate resilience into every home – 30 September, 11.30am
This session explores what climate resilience means in practice for housing design, planning, and delivery, and what changes are needed across policy, materials, and site strategy. Hear from experts shaping more durable, adaptable homes—and learn how to embed resilience into your next development from the ground up.

Neil Gaisford, divisional director, construction, said: “Sustainability is a key issue for the construction industry; a UN report in 2023 found that the buildings and construction sector was by far the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, accounting for a staggering 37% of global emissions.

“This cannot continue, and that’s why it’s such a major focus for UKCW, where industry leaders come to discuss and learn about the latest innovations and issues when it comes to the likes of Net Zero and decarbonisation.”

Alongside over 300 leading brands from around the world, UKCW Birmingham will feature 200 speakers and over 150 hours of seminars and talks across five stages.

The Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) is partnering with UK Construction Week (UKCW).

As the sector faces growing pressure to deliver smarter, greener and more efficient infrastructure, ACE and UKCW are coming together to spotlight the role of consultancy and engineering in shaping the future of construction.

Click here to find out more about the event and for your free ticket click here