SETU students and staff enjoyed a dynamic and informative experience focused on sustainability at the Net Zero Construction Symposium, held at the Talbot Hotel, Wexford, on Wednesday, 22 January.
The symposium was organised by Amanda Stewart, CEO of the High-Performance Building Alliance, and brought together industry leaders, educators, and professionals to explore the future of sustainable construction. The event opened with a strong call to action from keynote speaker Barry McCarron FCIAT, who addressed the evolving landscape of retrofitting and its critical role in achieving net-zero targets.
A series of engaging panel discussions followed, covering key themes such as circularity, skills development, and green innovation within the construction sector. The discussions were expertly chaired by MC David Scanlon. SETU construction staff member, Pascal Harte, contributed to the panel on skills, sharing insights on education, training, and workforce readiness for a more sustainable industry.
Students from SETU’s bachelor’s in business programme, studying Corporate Finance, attended the symposium as part of their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) project, gaining valuable exposure to real-world sustainability challenges and industry perspectives.
Key takeaways from the event included emerging sustainability developments within the construction sector, the importance of collaborative and cross-disciplinary approaches, the growing role of smart technologies, and increased recognition of the contribution of women in construction.
SETU’s participation in the symposium reflects the University’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, industry engagement, and preparing students to address global environmental challenges.
