With the global drive towards decarbonisation, the buildings materials sector must ensure its supply chain is utilising low impact, sustainable materials that comply with circular economy principles. But what does this mean in practice and what initiatives are being implemented to ensure the use of environmentally and socially responsible products? How can we adopt a holistic approach to the design, procurement and use of these materials across every new and existing project?
Following on from the launch of the Responsible Products Calculator last October, this deep dive learning session will explore the responsible products framework guidelines along with a series of case studies and discussions that address the critical role that products and materials play in achieving sustainability goals.
Join our industry leaders as they examine the role of the responsible products in the built environment and the shifting demand as we edge closer to our net zero targets.
Discussion areas include:
Understanding the responsible products framework and new calculator tool
What are the tools and strategies to facilitate the selection of responsible products?
How to anticipate and avoid product substitution and ensure specified products are used through the lifecycle of a project?
Understanding the good from the bad when it comes to EPDs
What are the greatest drivers for change and what role does the use of responsible products play here?
Unpacking legislative changes and the digital materials passport
Hear from industry experts including:
• Jonas Bengtsson, Founder & Global CEO, Edge Impact • Sophi MacMillan, Project Director - Resiloop, Australian Resilient Flooring Association • Nicole Sullivan, Impact Director, thinkstep-ANZ • Steve Mitchell, Director, EPD Australasia • Katherine Featherstone, Senior Manager, Responsible Products, Green Building Council of Australia
*This course has previously sold out and attendance numbers will be capped to ensure adequate time for interaction amongst participants.
With thanks to our Circular Economy partners
Agenda
Tuesday, 7 May 2024
12:30 pm
Welcome and introduction to the masterclass
12:35 pm
Understanding the GBCA Responsible Products Framework and the New Calculator
Katherine Featherstone, Senior Manager, Responsible Products and materials, Green Building Council of Australia Harriet Smith, Program Lead - Responsible Products, Green Building Council of Australia
1:00 pm
Q&A Session
1:20 pm
Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) – How to determine the good from the bad
What is the value of a good EPD for product transparency
What are the benefits?
Examples of successful EPDs in use
Jonas Bengsston, Founder & Global CEO, Edge Impact
1:45 pm
Breakout Groups: What needs to shift to respond to products in the markets?
In smaller facilitated groups, participants will explore the drivers for changing demand for responsible products and accordingly what then needs to shift.
What needs to shift?
What are the main barriers faced and how have these been overcome?
How can we influence and ensure sustainable procurement practices?
2:10 pm
Feedback from discussion groups
2:20 pm
Break
2:40 pm
Case study: The business case for recycled and recyclable flooring products
Update on the product stewardship scheme for resilient flooring – an example of radical industry collaboration
Opportunities for responsible flooring and challenges for collective action
Critical success factors examined
Sophi MacMillan, Project Director - Resiloop, Australian Resilient Flooring Association
3:05 pm
Case study: The RPF from a manufacturer's perspective
This session will explore BlueScope's approach to product credentials and certifications as well as their decarbonisation journey.
Philippa Stone, Sustainability Manager, Bluescope
3:30 pm
Break
3:45 pm
Panel: Examining the role of responsible products in the built environment
Exploring the shift in demand – what is the greatest driver for change?
What are different stakeholders doing across the business to respond to demand?
How will the Responsible Products Guidelines assist with changing demands?
Unpacking legislative changes and the digital material passports
Josh Begbie, CEO, GECA
Nicole Sullivan, Impact Director, Thinkstep-anz
Steve Mitchell, Director, EPD Australasia
4:30 pm
End of masterclass
Speakers
Sophi MacMillan - Australian Resilient Flooring Association
Project Director
About Sophi
Following an early working life in the finance industry in London and Hong Kong, Sophi followed her curiosity to understand how to embed environmental sustainability in economic development. She qualified as an environmental scientist in the early 1990s and has spent over 20 years implementing industry-wide strategies at national and global levels to drive sustainability and transformation, mostly in the plastics and chemicals sector. With a focus on encouraging and supporting collaboration along supply chains, she has led strategic sustainability improvement through responsible sourcing, product stewardship and recycling.
She is now working with the Australian resilient floorcovering industry to design a national product stewardship scheme and develop onshore reuse/recycling solutions for their products.
Sophi is an experienced association executive, company secretary and NFP director and has contributed on advisory panels for initiatives such as Green Star and Green Tag.
Philippa Stone - BlueScope
Sustainability Manager
About Philippa
Philippa (Pip) is responsible for BlueScope’s sustainability strategy in Australia, including developing and maintaining the sustainability credentials of BlueScope’s Australian products. Prior to joining BlueScope, Pip was based in the UK where she developed and delivered the sustainability strategy of global construction specialist, ISG.
Jonas Bengtsson - Edge Impact
CEO
About Jonas
CEO and Co-founder of Edge Environment and BPI rating.
Past President of the Australian Life Cycle Assessment Society (ALCAS), Green Star LCA Reference Advisory Group member, Vice-chair of EPD Australasia's Technical Advisory Group, and GECA technical advisory group members.
Certified LCA Practitioner, Approved EPD Verifier, Registered Climate Active Consultant
Steve Mitchell - EPD Australasia
Advocacy & Marketing
About Steve
Steve has over thirty years’ experience in sustainability projects within state government, community organisations and the private sector. He is passionate about the role that Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), and the Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) that underpin them, play in benchmarking and reducing the environmental impact of the built environment and other sectors.
EPD Australasia publishes independently verified EPDs for Australian and New Zealand business. They currently have over 300 EPDs published covering thousands of products for over 80 large, medium and small businesses operating in the region. For global visibility and compatibility EPD Australasia are also aligned with the International EPD System, which has registered over 4,000 EPDs from nearly 50 countries, and the EU ECO Platform.
Stephen is a long-term member of the Australian Life Cycle Assessment Society (ALCAS) and obtained his Masters in Environmental Management at the University of New South Wal
Josh Begbie - Good Environmental Choice Australia Ltd
CEO
About Josh
Josh joined the GECA team in 2023, bringing a breadth of experience from the not-for-profit, corporate and government sectors with a track record of creating lasting impact for organisations and communities.
Having worked extensively across countries, cultures, and industries, Josh believes that inclusive and courageous collaboration is the best way to get things done.
He is thrilled to be using this passion to develop partnerships within the GECA Family and beyond for the good of people and planet. Josh is proud to be leading an organisation that delivers positive environmental impact using globally recognised best practice standards.
Katherine Featherstone - Green Building Council of Australia
Senior Manager Products & Materials
About Katherine
Senior Manager Products & Materials
Harriet Smith - Green Building Council of Australia
Responsible Products - Program Lead
About Harriet
As the Responsible Products Program Lead, Harriet is across the delivery of the Responsible Products Guidelines for Initiatives, the Responsible Products Calculator and Database, as well as a the GBCA contact for Product Manufacturers and Product Certification Initiatives who are looking to receive recognition.
Nicole Sullivan - thinkstep Pty Ltd
Impact Director
About Nicole
Nicole is thinkstep-anz’s Head of Strategy and Impact Australia, supporting a wide range of companies to evolve their sustainability strategy, improve their impacts, and effectively communicate with the market. She is passionate about understanding the unique context of each business and working alongside them so that they can succeed sustainably. Her deep experience with LCA, EPDs, the building products industry, and green buildings bring practical and pragmatic insight to her holistic focus.
Agenda
