Pioneer Perspectives Panel
The panel featured Ness Scott, Head of Planning & Sustainability at Greencore Homes; Graham Edgell, Sustainability and Procurement Director at Morgan Sindall Group; and Simon Joe Portal, Head of Engineering & Sustainability at Drees & Sommer UK. These organisations represent the three founding Pioneers of Madaster in the UK.
Transforming Together: A call for collaboration
The panel began by reflecting on what “Transforming Together” means in practice. For Simon Joe, transformation requires a united effort across the value chain to implement circular systems, as no single entity can achieve this alone. Graham described the concept not as a radical shift but as an acceleration of existing efforts through collaboration. Ness underscored the importance of shared goals and transparency to create accountability and align stakeholders.
The consensus was clear: transformation in the built environment cannot be achieved in isolation. It demands collective action, with each stakeholder contributing to the broader goal of a circular economy.
Breaking Barriers: Creating shared goals
The panellists explored the challenges of establishing shared goals within the industry. Graham pointed to the variability of environmental product declarations (EPDs), noting that reliable and consistent data is crucial for building trust and fostering collaboration. Simon Joe discussed the contrast between Europe and the UK, emphasizing how cultural and legislative differences have allowed circularity practices to advance more rapidly in Europe. Ness highlighted the need for stronger UK legislation addressing embodied carbon, expressing frustration with current standards that risk producing homes labelled as “carbon-ready” but far from achieving net-zero targets.
The panel concluded that clearer legislation, coupled with industry-wide collaboration, is essential for driving progress and scaling circular practices.
What’s changed in the last year?
The conversation turned to developments in the past year, with panellists reflecting on both progress and persistent obstacles. The industry has made strides in adopting key performance indicators (KPIs) for carbon reduction, particularly embodied carbon. However, Ness voiced concerns about inadequate legislation in the UK, pointing out the potential for unsustainable practices in housing developments under outdated standards. With plans for 1.5 million new homes in the pipeline, she stressed the urgency of lobbying for stricter regulations to ensure these projects align with true net-zero goals.
Transparency and value: Driving change
Transparency was a recurring theme throughout the discussion, with the panellists exploring its role in driving sustainability. Simon Joe argued for connecting ESG reporting with storytelling to foster greater public demand for sustainable spaces. He noted that while consumers are increasingly concerned about the sustainability of food and clothing, they often overlook the sustainability of their built environment. Graham emphasized the importance of clarity, explaining that actionable and specific goals are more effective than vague aspirations in enabling the industry to adapt. Ness linked transparency to education, suggesting that material passports could raise awareness about embodied carbon and promote sustainable living.
Enabling circularity through Madaster’s data platform
A pivotal solution discussed during the panel was the use of Madaster’s powerful data platform to create and manage material passports. This award-winning tool enables the collection and organization of material data, empowering stakeholders to make informed, data-driven decisions that reduce waste and improve sustainability in construction. By providing a clear picture of material lifecycles, Madaster’s platform supports the shift to a circular economy, helping the built environment eliminate inefficiencies and deliver on the promise of sustainable development.
Conclusion: Transforming together for a circular future
The Madaster Pioneer Perspectives panel reinforced the urgency of embedding circular principles into the built environment. Whether through legislative reform, shared goals, or better communication, achieving a circular future requires collaboration across the value chain.
As Ness aptly put it, “We need shared goals and objectives for where we want to get to as a network if we want to shift the industry to circular systems.”
The message from the panel was clear: transformation isn’t just about innovation—it’s about working together to create a sustainable, circular future.
The question now is: are you ready to join the movement? Let’s start transforming together.
Get Involved
This is just the beginning, and we’re excited to keep the conversation going. If you’d like to learn more about Madaster and how we’re helping create a circular economy in the built environment:
- Contact Us: Interested in collaborating or learning more? Get in touch with our team
- Explore Our Platform: Learn how we’re already impacting circularity in building and construction. Visit our Platform page
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