In this episode of the Decarbonising the Building Industry Podcast, host Fanni Melles, PhD, chats with Alison Scotland, CEO of the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC), about the crucial role of collaboration in decarbonising the building sector. Alison shares her insights on bringing together industry, government, and academia through ASBEC and the DBI network, tackling the issue of fragmentation, and the huge potential of retrofitting existing buildings and precinct-level solutions. She also spotlights two groundbreaking ASBEC projects focused on reducing embodied carbon and defining net-zero infrastructure, aligning with global net-zero 2050 goals.
Alison Scotland is the CEO of ASBEC, a unique organisation that unites peak industry associations, professional bodies, government, and academic observers to address sustainability challenges in the built environment. As a member of the DBI advisory panel, Alison uses her industry knowledge to ensure alignment and impact in decarbonisation efforts.
Key Discussion Points:
- [00:01:00] Alison’s Role at ASBEC and Connection to the DBI Network
- [00:02:20] Why Alison Joined DBI: Boosting Collaborative Impact
- [00:03:40] The Need for a Holistic Approach in Decarbonisation
- [00:05:00] Biggest Challenge: Fragmentation in the Building Industry
- [00:06:20] Defining Technology: From Digital Tools to Material Know-How
- [00:07:30] Biggest Opportunity: Retrofitting Existing Buildings
- [00:08:40] Scaling Up: Urban Retrofit at Precinct and City Levels
- [00:11:00] ASBEC Projects: Embodied Carbon Policy and Net-Zero Infrastructure
- [00:15:40] The Role of ASBEC: Connecting Stakeholders for Shared Goals
- [00:16:40] Why DBI Matters: Building Relationships and Solutions
Find out more about Alison, ASBEC, and DBI through these links:
- Alison Scotland on LinkedIn
- ASBECwebsite
- ASBECon LinkedIn
- DBI website