Building on established industry models and standards, the framework takes an expanded approach to value creation by establishing nine ‘Dimensions of Place’. It then identifies six key transitions needed to enable a regenerative approach and sets out the policy levers needed to enable regenerative approaches. It also highlights practical case studies from projects in design and completion.

The framework is designed for industry professionals who fund, plan, commission, design, deliver and steward new housing and retrofit, including; local authorities, housing providers and professionals across planning, design, development and construction. It also serves as a good reference for community organisations, public services and others shaping the long-term outcomes of place.

 

Simon McWhirter, chief executive of UKGBC, said:

In its essence, rather than doing less harm, this framework sets out the conditions in which industry can instead focus its attention and efforts on delivering positive change across national, social and economic systems, delivering real and long-lasting benefits to local people, communities and places.

In effect – weaving together the opportunities for change to help us craft really thriving places for the future.”

Regenerative Places

Our programme utilises a place-based retrofit strategy to enhance local network capacity, strengthen resilience against future climate-related challenges, and deliver broad regenerative benefits to communities.

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What if every time we built or retrofitted our homes, the world around us got better?

The Regenerative Places Framework for Housing sets out a new way of thinking about how we plan, design, deliver and steward homes and neighbourhoods.

Its central proposition is simple: housing can do more than minimise harm. Homes and neighbourhoods can be designed to restore and strengthen the capacity of places to support life, while continuing to adapt to changing conditions.

Regenerative housing recognises homes as part of interconnected living systems, shaped by relationships between people, place, nature and resources. It asks us to look beyond the individual building and consider how housing can contribute to healthier, more resilient and thriving places over time.

The Framework provides a shared vision and practical pathways for applying this approach across housing projects, from the earliest stages of planning and design through delivery and beyond handover.

Download the Framework here

Regenerative Places Programme Partners

Thank you to our previous Regenerative Places Programme Partner

The post Regenerative Places Framework for Housing appeared first on UKGBC.

UKGBC welcomes the publication of the updated National Planning Policy Framework and several important improvements made following consultation. Stronger recognition of climate adaptation –  including overheating, drought, flooding and wildfire risk – is timely and essential. We also welcome clearer support for sustainable, infrastructure‑led development, including priority for building near rail stations and existing transport hubs. 

It is encouraging that Government has stepped back from proposed restrictions on local energy‑efficiency standards. The clarification that local authorities can go beyond national minimums within a consistent methodology, where justified and viable, is a positive shift that supports place‑based climate leadership. 

However, key gaps remain. The weakening of the sequential test for surface‑water flooding risks undermining long‑term resilience, and constraints on locally ambitious Biodiversity Net Gain policies could limit nature recovery at a time when exemptions are growing. The presumption in favour of development also continues to raise concerns about how local authorities, communities and developers can work together to achieve the best outcomes. 

In order to realise the new Prime Minister’s ambition on devolution, community empowerment and strategic placemaking, it is vital the planning system enables and empowers local leadership and ambition. 

��UKGBC’s Regenerative Places Framework for Housing, launching September 16^th, will examine the planning system’s role in achieving thriving places through local leadership that benefit people and nature.”

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What legacy does Starmer’s government leave behind for our sector?

One of the clearest successes was the publication of the Warm Homes Plan – the first long‑term national strategy of its kind, and something UKGBC and industry have long called for. With £15bn committed this Parliament, the plan finally set out a coherent approach to tackling fuel poverty, scaling heat pumps, expanding rooftop solar, and supporting low‑income households – but Starmer has stepped down just before the most important phase: delivery. The next government must build on this strong strategic platform, embedding real‑world lessons from local authorities, community groups and place‑based pilots, and ensuring resilience is not treated as an optional extra.

The Future Homes and Buildings Standard was another milestone. Starmer’s government chose the more ambitious option: no new gas boilers, mandatory rooftop solar, and improved energy efficiency for new homes. This shift will cut emissions from new build homes by around 75% and gives industry long‑awaited certainty. It’s a strong foundation, but there is more to do. Developers are already building to higher standards, and Burnham’s government will need to build on this momentum to close the gap on climate resilience, embodied carbon and long‑term affordability.

The Planning Bill passed, and the first update to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) made welcome improvements: stronger support for Local Plans, better design guidance, and encouragement of higher‑density development on brownfield land. But the reforms didn’t fully rise to the scale of the climate and nature crises. Climate, nature and community resilience still risk being treated as add‑ons rather than core principles. And the response to the latest NPPF consultation wasn’t completed before Starmer’s departure, leaving the new administration with the chance to provide clarity for local authorities and strengthen the planning systems role in delivering high‑quality, climate‑ready places.

Starmer’s government made meaningful progress on housing quality. The Renters’ Rights Bill, extension of Awab’s Law to the private rented sector, and reforms to the Decent Homes Standard will all strengthen protections for tenants. Crucially, MEES were strengthened across both private and social rented homes, aligning standards and tackling fuel poverty more consistently. The reform of the EPC system was another overdue improvement, moving toward multiple metrics and better alignment with modern policy priorities. Taken together, these reforms represent one of the most comprehensive boosts to housing quality in recent years.

For non‑domestic buildings, the long‑awaited uplift to MEES finally arrived: commercial buildings over 1,000m² must reach EPC B by 2031. After six years of delay, this announcement addressed a major uncertainty for industry and takes a significant step toward decarbonising commercial stock, but the job is not done yet. Burnham’s government should build on this progress, with in-use performance measurement and reporting, as well as measures like practical support for SME decarbonisation.

Despite welcome progress on retrofit and energy efficiency, Starmer’s government left a major gap on climate resilience. The CCC’s adaptation reports were unequivocal: the UK is not adapting fast enough, and action on resilience remains under‑resourced, under‑funded and fragmented. UKGBC’s Climate Resilience Roadmap sets out exactly what needs to change — clearer accountability, smarter investment, and integration of resilience across planning, building standards and retrofit. But national policy has yet to catch up. The Warm Homes Plan made a start with a nod to year-round comfort, but the UK still lacks a comprehensive adaptation strategy capable of protecting communities, buildings and infrastructure from escalating climate risks. This is one of the clearest opportunities for Burnham to accelerate progress.

Starmer’s government made a promising start on circular economy by commissioning a special task force, and on embodied carbon by responding to the AECOM report. However, we are yet to see the circular economy strategy, and there has been no further steps taken to regulate embodied carbon – leaving the new government with a well-defined area where further action could unlock major whole-life sustainability benefits for our sector.

For now, starmer’s legacy is a reminder that intent is not the same as action.”

The past two years have shown that high-level strategy can take shape quickly, but real-world delivery takes time. Industry is ready to invest, innovate and deliver, but only when government sets a stable course. As Burnham makes some welcome cabinet appointments and starts with promising policy interventions to address the cost of living by reducing the cost of electricity, the UKGBC policy team will be watching closely and preparing an analysis of what this new era means for our sector.

For now, Starmer’s legacy is a reminder that intent is not the same as action: his government established the right direction, made meaningful progress across many parts of the built environment, and leaves Burnham with a strong foundation to turn ambition into the tangible outcomes our homes and places urgently need.

Policy & Advocacy

Since 2007, we have been bringing together some of the most influential leaders in politics, business, local authorities, civil service and NGOs to accelerate action for a green built environment.

Learn more

Thank you to UKGBC’s policy partners for supporting our advocacy work this year.

The post High Hopes, Half Built: Starmer’s Built Environment Legacy appeared first on UKGBC.

• Connect & Collaborate: Build relationships that drive real-world change.
• Learn & Grow: Empower your people. Future-proof your organisation.
• Lead & Influence: Shape the future of the built environment.

Explore the opportunities included with your membership below. Each links to more details, and our team is always ready to help at membership@ukgbc.org. 

Membership gives you the tools, networks, and knowledge to drive impact, without extra cost for these core opportunities. If you’d like to learn more about the full range of benefits available within your membership, join our 45-minute webinar, Making the Most of Your Membership, on 13 April from 12:00-12:45.

Connect & Collaborate

Join UKGBC Forums: Engage with peers, share insights, and tackle emerging challenges in a trusted, collaborative environment. These forums are designed to help you co-create solutions with industry leaders:��

• Climate Resilience and Adaptation Forum. Sign up here.����
• Energy and Carbon Forum. Sign up here.��
• Resource Use Forum. Sign up here��
• Keystone Forum. Sign up here.
• Local Authority Retrofit Forum. Sign up here.

During the month of July we’re running three special open sessions as part of our member forums. These one-off sessions welcome all members, including those who don’t usually attend, to join the discussion.

• The energy and carbon forum will be running a session on supply chain on 7 July. Sign up here.
• The resource use forum will be running a session on managing risk on 13 July. Sign up here.
• The climate resilience and adaptation will be running a session on nature on 28 July. Sign up here.

Explore all upcoming events here: /events/����

KEY AREAS OF WORK

We are working towards a built environment that enables people and the planet to thrive, using sustainability as a catalyst to drive the transformational shift in the way the built environment works that is needed to meet industry ambition and targets.

Get Involved

Attend Insights on Optimising and Retrofitting Non-Domestic Buildings Launch (Online) | 14 April, 10:00-11:00. Register Here

Whole Life Carbon Framework Launch (Online) | 26 May, 10:00-11:00, Register Here

Innovation in Commercial Retrofit: A Live Project Demonstrator (Online) | 16 June, 16:00-17:00, Register Here

Insights into UK Resilience: Energy Infrastructure and Distribution Systems ( London) | 23 June, 08:00-10:00, Register Here

Climate Resilience in Action: One Year on from the UK Climate Resilience Roadmap (Online) | 24 June, 10:00-11:00, Register Here

Regenerative Places Framework for Housing (London) | 16 September, 16:00-19:00, Register Here

Attend Our Events

Membership Summer Drinks with Considerate Constructors Scheme (London) | 22 July, 17:00-19:30, Register Here

Member Social in Belfast | 16 September, 17:00-19:30, Register Here

Member Social in Manchester | 24 September, 16:00-19:00, Register Here

UKGBC’s AGM: Value, Visibility and Views (London) | 30 September, 16:00-20:00, Register Here

 

 

Learn & Grow

BUILD KNOWLEDGE

Kickstart your sustainability journey with bite-sized, jargon-free learning that builds confidence and foundations. 

Ideal for: Early-career professionals, those new to sustainability, or anyone seeking a foundational understanding of sustainability, resilience, and carbon reduction in the built environment. 

Benefits: Build confidence, understand key sustainability concepts quickly, and establish a solid foundation to inform your work. 

Get Involved

• UKGBC Sustainability Essentials for the Built Environment email course (Email course) – Eight short, easy-to-read modules introducing core sustainability topics.��

• Sustainable Thinking: A Beginner’s Guide for the Built Environment. (Online course) – Develop foundational knowledge in this interactive, accessible course.��

• Building for a Changing Climate: Foundations of Adaptation (Online course) – Explore the fundamentals of resilience and adaptation in four self-paced modules.��

• Carbon Reduction Essentials in the Built Environment (Online course) – Learn how the built environment impacts climate change, and how sustainable buildings can drive a low-carbon future.��

DELIVER ACTION

Move from learning to doing with immersive masterclasses and hands-on workshops that empower you to drive impact. 

Ideal for: Mid-level to senior professionals, sustainability champions, design/project teams, owners, and ESG practitioners ready to transform knowledge into action. 

Benefits: Gain in-demand technical skills, develop strategies you can implement immediately, and collaborate with peers to operationalise sustainable outcomes. 

Get Involved

• Biodiversity Net Gain Masterclass – London | 28 May
• Scaling Solutions Workshops: Materials & Supply Chain (8 June), Building Adaptation & Resilience (9 June) and Electrification & Energy Systems (29 June)
• A Practical Guide to Engaging Your Supply Chain – Webinar | 15 June

Lead & Influence

Learning designed to spark transformational change. UKGBC’s leadership programmes equip built environment professionals at every career stage to take bold action, challenge the status quo, and drive the systemic change our industry needs. 

Get Involved

Recalibrate – An exclusive enrichment programme for C-Suite and Board members. Shape your leadership for a net zero, climate-resilient future and gain unique insights into leading systemic change at the highest level.��

Runs July-November | full details here.��

UKGBC Leadership Collaboration Cafe and Networking Social – UKGBC Leadership Alumni are invited to connect and explore the leadership skills and behaviours needed for a sustainable built environment.

22 April, 16:00-19:00, London | Sign up here.��

Future Leaders Showcase & Alumni Summer Gathering – Join us to celebrate Future Leaders 2026 Programme finale. Hear from our forward-thinking change-makers, as they embrace their agency to transform the sustainability of the built environment. Then enjoy the start of the summer by connecting with peers across the industry over drinks and networking into the evening.

4 June, 16:00-18:30, London | .��

Re-imagining: Sustainable Finance – UKGBC convenes finance, business, academia & sustainability leaders to reimagine a thriving, sustainable financial system and how to achieve it.

30 June, 16:00-20:00, London | Register Here

The post Membership Opportunities (April 2026-September 2026) appeared first on UKGBC.

The announcement came after a visit by Martin McCluskey (Minister for Energy Consumers) to a central London office building owned by UKGBC keystone member Landsec. UKGBC Chief Executive Simon McWhirter also joined the tour with the Minister where Landsec demonstrated how targeted retrofit measures can transform the performance of existing buildings. The property has been improved from EPC D to EPC B via a series of interventions including swapping out all the gas systems for air-source heat pumps (providing both heat and cooling) and advanced building management systems. It represents a clear example of the role our existing building stock can play in delivering shared value through better building performance.

Get in touch if this affects your organisation or portfolio

Simon McWhirter said:

Today’s announcement is a really welcome step forward and provides the kind of policy certainty that we have long been calling for. Improving the performance of existing commercial buildings will be critical to meeting our climate goals, and greater clarity on future standards will help give the market the comfort and confidence to invest.

Many of our members are already showing what is possible, with retrofit projects that demonstrate both the technical and commercial case for action. Their experience will be invaluable as Government develops and embeds this policy to accelerate retrofit across the sector and give owners, investors and occupiers the confidence to invest. We look forward to working with ministers and officials on the next phase of this agenda, helping to shape the policy and market conditions required to deliver decarbonisation at scale.”

The visit highlighted the leadership being shown by organisations across UKGBC’s membership, such as Landsec, who have chosen to act ahead of regulation and invest in improving the performance of their assets.

While this announcement is an important milestone, further collaboration between industry and Government will be needed to deliver at scale. We look forward to working with policymakers and our member network on creating the right conditions to unlock commercial retrofit at scale, including finance and value, skills, and data, to support the transition to a more efficient, resilient and lower-emission building stock.

Policy & Advocacy

Since 2007, we have been bringing together some of the most influential leaders in politics, business, local authorities, civil service and NGOs to accelerate action for a green built environment.

Learn more

The post UKGBC responds to the MEES uplift appeared first on UKGBC.

Biodiversity Net Gain is one of the most significant environmental reforms introduced in recent years, helping to ensure that development leaves nature in a measurably better state than before. At a time when the UK remains one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, maintaining the integrity of BNG is essential to restoring biodiversity, creating healthier places and providing greater certainty for industry and communities alike.

Brownfield regeneration has an essential role to play in delivering homes and economic growth, but weakening BNG requirements risks creating a false choice between development and nature recovery. Government should continue to support brownfield development, while ensuring all new development contributes positively to the restoration of nature and the creation of better places.

Policy & Advocacy

Since 2007, we have been bringing together some of the most influential leaders in politics, business, local authorities, civil service and NGOs to accelerate action for a green built environment.

Learn more

The post UKGBC responds to BNG Consultation on targeted exemptions for brownfield developments appeared first on UKGBC.

Policy & Advocacy

Since 2007, we have been bringing together some of the most influential leaders in politics, business, local authorities, civil service and NGOs to accelerate action for a green built environment.

Learn more

The post UKGBC responds to the Warm Homes Fund’s Call for Evidence appeared first on UKGBC.

Energy Independence Bill

One of the flagship measures introduced, the Energy Independence Bill focuses on improving energy security, accelerating clean energy deployment and reducing exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets. A further bill will increase the tax charged on ‘excess profits’ made by electricity generation companies (Electricity Generator Levy Bill). Expected measures range from reforms to electricity market pricing and planning changes for energy infrastructure, through to making it easier to install EV charging infrastructure, and the Nuclear Regulation Bill will implement recommendations from the Fingleton Review, including changes intended to speed up planning approvals for nuclear infrastructure.

For the built environment industry, the direction of travel reinforces the growing importance of electrification, grid readiness and integrating low-carbon energy systems into buildings and places. It also reflects many of UKGBC’s longstanding calls for policy that supports clean energy deployment while reducing long-term energy costs for households and businesses. However, there is still a need for clarity on how ministers intend to support home energy efficiency upgrades at scale will remain critical for the sector.

Social Housing Renewal Bill

New legislation aimed at increasing long-term investment in affordable and social housing, will aim to increase long-term investment certainty for councils and housing associations, improve housing quality and introduce stronger protections for tenants.

For the built environment sector, this could represent a significant opportunity to align housing delivery with wider affordable housing goals. Greater investment certainty over the longer-term should support the delivery of high-quality, energy efficient new social housing.

Remediation Bill (Building Safety)

The Government has introduced further legislation on building safety remediation following the Grenfell Tower tragedy. The proposed bill is likely to include a stronger legal duty to remediate unsafe cladding and wider measures aimed at improving accountability across the residential sector.

For UKGBC members, this reinforces the continued importance of embedding safety, quality and long-term resilience across both new build and retrofit projects. The industry will be looking for legislation that not only accelerates remediation but also provides greater certainty around delivery responsibilities and funding mechanisms.

 

 

Commonhold and Leasehold Reform

While many more details of the legislation will come through over the coming months, the King’s Speech should provide a strong indication of where the Government intends to focus political and legislative capacity over the next parliamentary session, and should remain consistent regardless of what changes might happen at the top.

For UKGBC, key questions remain around whether the Government will match its growth ambitions with the long-term policy certainty needed to deliver healthy, affordable, resilient and low-carbon places. In particular, industry needs stronger signals on retrofit delivery, climate adaptation, nature and the role the built environment can play in improving energy security and reducing household costs.

What UKGBC Will Be Watching

While many more details of the legislation will come through over the coming months, the King’s Speech should provide a strong indication of where the Government intends to focus political and legislative capacity over the next parliamentary session, and should remain consistent regardless of what changes might happen at the top.

For UKGBC, key questions remain around whether the Government will match its growth ambitions with the long-term policy certainty needed to deliver healthy, affordable, resilient and low-carbon places. In particular, industry needs stronger signals on retrofit delivery, climate adaptation, nature and the role the built environment can play in improving energy security and reducing household costs.

Policy & Advocacy

Since 2007, we have been bringing together some of the most influential leaders in politics, business, local authorities, civil service and NGOs to accelerate action for a green built environment.

Learn more

The post Takeaways from the King’s Speech 2026 appeared first on UKGBC.

Reform UK emerged as the biggest winner across much of England, making major gains in former Labour and Conservative heartlands. At the same time, the Green Party recorded its strongest local election performance to date, alongside further seats for the Liberal Democrats. The result is a far more fragmented political landscape – one that is no longer tied to the traditional two-party system, which could have multiple impacts for the future of housing, planning and climate action.

For the built environment sector, these results are important not simply because councils shape planning and housing policy, but because local authorities increasingly play a leading role in delivering warm homes and retrofit programmes, as well as climate adaptation and nature recovery initiatives. It is important for industry to understand how the rise of Reform and Green councillors within local councils might play out, and what greater fragmentation might require from industry.

Image source: The Guardian (), data from BBC PNS series.

Differences emerge around how development is delivered, how strongly environmental requirements are prioritised, and how communities are engaged in decision-making.”

The delivery of retrofit programmes is a good example of where differences in approach might occur. In areas where Green administrations have gained ground, there is evidence of growing support for retrofit-first approaches. and grant-supported upgrades, alongside similar approaches emerging in other councils, point towards stronger support from ‘Greener’ councils for home decarbonisation, fabric-first upgrades and refurbishment over demolition.

By contrast, Reform-controlled councils over the past year have shown greater scepticism towards formal climate governance which has extended to the provision of electric heating technologies, such as heat pumps. found that several councils under Reform control rolled back climate targets, rescinded climate emergency declarations or weakened climate-related reporting structures. While this might not actually translate into direct opposition to retrofit activity itself, it does suggest that where policies are associated with net zero, they may become more politically exposed in some areas.

Across parties there remains broad agreement on the need for more homes, particularly affordable homes. Differences emerge around how development is delivered, how strongly environmental requirements are prioritised, and how communities are engaged in decision-making. Reform representatives have generally remained supportive of growth, infrastructure investment and housing delivery, particularly where developments are framed around affordability, regeneration and local economic benefit. With the Greens placing even more emphasis on truly affordable housing developments and higher sustainability credentials. The response to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) will provide clarity on how these divergent approaches might play out in councils across the country.

However, as councils become more politically fragmented – with more coalition administrations and ‘no overall control’ authorities – navigating local politics is likely to become more complex. Planning committees may become less predictable, and developers, investors and local partners may need to place greater emphasis on community engagement, and demonstrating tangible local value – signalling the importance of UKGBC’s upcoming Regenerative Places Framework in supporting place-based approaches to development.

What is important to note is that these election results do not point to an outright rejection of climate action. Polling from (ECIU) found that 68% of voters still believe the UK should at least try to meet its net zero targets, while support for renewable energy remains consistently high across the political spectrum (including among many Reform voters). Instead, the election results appear to reflect broader concerns around the cost of living, public services, economic insecurity and trust in politics – with energy bills, housing affordability and local economic decline featured far more prominently in voter priorities than climate policy itself.

Image Source: Architects Journal ()

For the built environment industry, the implication is not that climate ambition disappears, but rather the language and framing around it may need to evolve.”

For the built environment industry, the implication is not that climate ambition disappears, but rather the language and framing around it may need to evolve. The results reinforce the importance of connecting climate action to people’s everyday priorities: warmer homes, lower bills, better health, cleaner air and stronger local economies. Local elections can shift political narratives quickly, but more meaningful signals will come in the months ahead through council leadership appointments, committee structures, local plans and early policy decisions.

The political landscape may be changing rapidly, but the underlying need for healthy, affordable, resilient and low-carbon places remains unchanged, and UKGBC will continue to advocate for their delivery. ��

Policy & Advocacy

UKGBC work closely with members, policymakers and local leaders to ensure the case for climate action remains present within built environment policy discussions.

Learn more

The post What the Local Election Results Could Mean for a Sustainable Built Environment appeared first on UKGBC.