Tor Burrows, Executive Director, Sustainability & Innovation, Grosvenor has been appointed as an Ambassador alongside:

• Chris Brown, Executive Chair, Igloo Regeneration
• Tor Burrows, Executive Director of Sustainability & Innovation, Grosvenor
• Guy Grainger, Global Head of Sustainability Services & ESG, JLL
• Bill Hughes, Head of Real Assets, Legal & General Investment Management
• Paul King, MD Sustainability & Social Impact, Lendlease Europe
• Kevin McCloud, Designer, Writer & Television Presenter
• Dame Alison Nimmo DBE, Non-Executive Director
• Sunand Prasad, Principal of Perkins & Will, co-founder of Penoyre & Prasad and Chair of the Board of Trustees at UKGBC
• Diba Salam, Founder & Creative Director, StudioDS
• Leila du Toit, Sustainability Manager, Canary Wharf Contractors Limited

Construction and operation of buildings and infrastructure is responsible for nearly 40% of global greenhouse gases and has a critical role to play across all five of the campaigns prioritized for COP26: adaptation and resilience; nature; energy transition; clean road transport; and finance

This multi-disciplinary group of people selected for their leadership on climate and sustainability issues will help to grow the momentum around net zero carbon buildings and accelerate leadership and action towards these from both public and private sector.  

Julie Hirigoyen, Chief Executive at UKGBC commented:

“I am thrilled that this diverse group of influential leaders are taking on this role as UK Built Environment Climate Ambassadors. Appointed by UKGBC for their vision and unswerving commitment to climate action, they will help us to leverage this pivotal conference to galvanise stronger commitment and action from both industry and government towards net zero carbon ahead of 2050. There can be no doubt as to the fundamental role that our built environment has to play in helping to achieve a decarbonized economy. And we need all the help we can get to bring multiple stakeholders on board if we’re to transform our built environment into one that enables both people and planet to thrive.”

Tor Burrows, added:

“The urgent need to address carbon emissions associated with the design, construction, management and adaptation of buildings is undeniable. We desperately need change at scale – from individuals, to businesses and governments – talk needs to become action. COP26 is a critical moment for a global acceleration to a low carbon economy; as a Built Environment Ambassador I’ll champion innovation, stronger environmental action and challenge current practice to help ensure a cleaner and greener future for all.”

As part of their role, the Built Environment Climate Ambassadors will champion the development of the Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap for the UK Built Environment. This project has been established to deliver a science-based trajectory for reducing built environment emissions in line with limiting global temperature rises below 1.5 degrees. A number of these individuals will take on the additional role of #BuildingLife Ambassadors for WorldGBC, which will see them support the international campaign promote the roadmaps and push for more progressive policies across Europe.