As the built environment moves from net zero ambition to delivery, organisations are facing a shared challenge: how to decarbonise existing real estate portfolios in a way that is credible, verifiable and scalable. Retrofit now sits at the centre of climate action – and confidence in standards and evidence has become critical.
This roundtable brings together senior decision‑makers across real estate, standards, verification and sustainable finance who are grappling with the practical realities of delivery. At its core is the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (NZCBS), developed to address fragmentation in the market by providing a clear, consistent framework for credible net zero performance across building types and lifecycle stages.
The discussion will focus on how NZCBS is interpreted and operationalised at portfolio level, the role of independent verification in turning standards into trusted evidence, and how this credibility – including through the lender perspective of the Loan Market Association (LMA) – helps bridge the climate finance gap for retrofit, moving ambition into real‑world action.
Moderator / Host:
Dr. Niki Hutson, Sustainability Director, Bureau Veritas
Speakers:
David Partridge – Property Leader, Chair of Governance Board for the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (NZCBS)
Benjamin Lechaptois – Global Sustainability Products Director, Bureau Veritas
Sukhvir Basran – ESG Partner at King & Spalding, Sustainability Counsel for the Loan Market Association (LMA)
This roundtable is intended for senior decision‑makers involved in delivering net zero across the built environment.
Who it’s for:
– Owners, investors and developers of existing real estate portfolios
– Banks and financial institutions active in real estate lending or sustainable finance
– Standards bodies, industry organisations and independent verification leaders
Typical roles include:
– Board and C‑suite executives
– Heads of Real Estate, Property or Asset Management
– Heads of Sustainability or Net Zero
– Real estate CFOs
– Senior credit, risk and lending leads
This roundtable will be most relevant for those managing complex portfolios, facing retrofit or transition decisions, and seeking clarity on how market‑led standards, verification and sustainable finance are coming together in practice.
Attendance is by application to ensure a balanced, senior group of participants.
For more information or any questions about this roundtable, please contact the host directly at niki.hutson@bureauveritas.com .