What does it mean to be committed to sustainability, while working in an industry responsible for 40% of the world’s carbon emissions? Firstly, it means trying hard to adapt and retain old buildings, rather than bulldoze and start again. That’s about one third of those building emissions. Secondly, it means making buildings that are super efficient to run, with ‘operational carbon emissions’ accounting for the other two thirds. These issues are particularly important when working on large buildings, which are notoriously carbon intensive, to both build and operate.

Sam Peart brings her engineering background to these challenges, while reflecting on the different attitudes and behaviour of engineers and architects, when faced with complex, multi-dimensional challenges.

About Sam

Samantha Peart is the Global Head of Sustainability at Hassell, an international design firm. With extensive experience in sustainability leadership, she has held senior roles at Development Victoria and Arup, driving transformative environmental strategies across various sectors.

Peart has led Hassell’s integration of sustainability into architectural practice. Her work encompasses promoting material and product provenance, advocating for certified sustainable timber and mass timber, and emphasising adaptive reuse of buildings. She leads initiatives to embed sustainability frameworks within large organisations, enhancing environmental performance and fostering regenerative design practices.

Read Hassell Studios From Office to Home: new research explores the case for ‘Radical Reuse’ and other research reports here.

About Climate360 

Climate360 is a podcast series that will take a broad view of how climate impacts our whole world. It is an initiative of Sam Redston and Andrew Mackenzie. 

Over the weeks and months ahead we will explore how climate impacts health, economics, politics, science, farming, manufacturing and everything else. We will explore the challenges of a changing climate, while throwing a light on a rich community of innovators and activists, professionals and academics, makers and motivators, who are leading the way in how we might respond to our changing climate. 

We acknowledge that we work and create on the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung and Boon Wurrung People of the Eastern Kulin Nation, and we pay our respects to their Elders, past and present. Always was. Always will be. 

www.climate360.com.au

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