In the latest episode of the Accelerate to Zero podcast, Brogan McDonald shares insights on circular design, bio-based materials, industry advocacy and using social media to drive change.
.Listen now ➡️ buff.ly/Afdsonw
SSEN Transmissions has awarded over £2 million to power community projects.
One of the successful recipients is Tighean Innse Gall, working with consortium partners BE-ST, Community Energy Scotland, Community Enterprise, and Community Land Outer Hebrides. ➡️ buff.ly/W4Rkwza
Renfrewshire Council has partnered with Kensa to deliver the largest networked ground source heat pump system in Scotland. This pioneering project will see the replacement of ageing gas infrastructure in two high-rise tower blocks in Gallowhill, Paisley.
Read more ➡️ buff.ly/iGRyEYK
Louise Rogers will be speaking at the 2026 Make Good Symposium.
The event brings together scientists, designers, manufacturers, lawyers, architects & developers to explore how to grow better UK forests, harvest responsibly, and build locally with their materials.
➡️ Sign up: buff.ly/HHu7PDY
Thames Freeport’s Sustainable Construction Lab is accelerating neighbourhood-scale retrofit across East London & South Essex. The first home at Becontree Estate is complete, delivered by Energiesprong UK, the council & local supply chain. Residents are already seeing the benefits.
➡️ buff.ly/tu3HyrU
The future of biotechnology is growing on Scotland’s farms.
Fellow Innovation Centre IBioIC's Deputy CEO Liz Fletcher talks about how Scotland's farms have a vital role to play in the future of biotechnology.
Read more ➡️
University of Glasgow, Scottish Water and the Hydro Nation Chair programme are looking for trial partners to support their project removing greenhouse gas emissions from Septic Tanks.
📢 If you have or know of a building with a Septic Tank please get in touch: www.offgridwater.org.uk/contact-us/
The first curved CLT ceiling made from English timber is currently on display at the V&A and it's changing what's possible with homegrown wood.
Read the full case study in the latest issue of Smarter Transformation: buff.ly/sGQBCno
BE-ST wants to hear your insights on the demand for a built environment cluster, including the challenges it should tackle and the opportunities it could unlock for low-carbon, high-productivity construction. Have your say 👉 buff.ly/shL5DtS
Skills Development Scotland (SDS) has commissioned Optimat to support the development of a framework that describes the competences workers increasingly need as digital tools become embedded across most jobs and sectors.
Complete this short survey ➡️ forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/Respon...
The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) is a world-class innovation centre focused on transforming manufacturing. They are seeking enthusiastic individuals with a passion for learning to join their 2026 Internship programme.
📢 Join here: strathvacancies.engageats.co.uk/Vacancies/I/...
In the newest issue of Smarter Transformation, we interviewed Ruta Burbaite, Climate Change and Energy, Highland Council, who explores the priorities shaping the strategy, the lessons learned from early projects, and the Council's vision for area-wide, place-based decarbonisation. ➡️ buff.ly/ZvJSVBa
Scotland's innovation ecosystem will come together at the Scotland's Cluster Showcase event to highlight the economic potential and real-world benefits of cluster development.
📆 March 11 Feb | 9am - 5pm
➡️ buff.ly/w9UbYWh
In this episode of the Accelerate to Zero Podcast, Hannah Lloyd speaks to Matthew Clubb, founder of mwclubb and double winner at the Accelerate to Zero Awards, recognised for his leadership in community-led retrofit and tackling fuel poverty.
Listen now ➡️ buff.ly/J4myN3f
The latest issue of Smarter Transformation features Lothian Heat, a new regional organisation exploring how large-scale heat networks could be delivered differently across the East of Scotland.
➡️ Read the full article in Smarter Transformation: buff.ly/Fsbx11F
📣 New Low Carbon Passport dates available
The Low Carbon Passport is an accredited, fully funded course developed to build the practical skills needed to deliver low carbon, energy-efficient buildings across Scotland.
➡️ lnkd.in/es_rZwnC
🎙️New season of the Accelerate to Zero Podcast is live
We’re talking scaling solutions in the built environment, what works, what doesn’t, and what it’ll take to move faster.
🎧 Featuring Tomas O’Leary, Mosart and Lizzy Westmacott, ECD Architects, with more episodes coming soon.
➡️ buff.ly/z1YcVwz
📖 Our fourth issue of Smarter Transformation is out now.
In this edition, we’re taking a closer look at one of the hottest topics and arguably, one of the biggest challenges facing our sector - Heat in buildings.
Read now: lnkd.in/ecyDkEHm
Gemma Bond Dodds, Director of Insight and Policy at BE-ST, will be taking part in the Making Retrofit Investable masterclass at The Business of Housing Conference tomorrow.
🎟️ Final seats available - buff.ly/c02iX0w
📅 3rd February
📍 Edinburgh International Conference Centre
📣 Help shape Scotland's Built Environment Cluster.
We’re gathering industry insight to inform a national, industry-led Built Environment Cluster, focused on innovation, low-carbon construction and productivity.
👉 Take the survey: buff.ly/RvceWrE
🎧 New Accelerate to Zero episode.
Hannah Lloyd talks with Lizzie Westmacott from ECD Architects about scaling low-carbon retrofit, covering funding, skills, community, and legislation.
Listen now ➡️ buff.ly/gxOdOMZ
Join BE-ST, Leitz and The Joinery Network as we bring together industry leaders to explore how home-grown engineered mass timber can support a low-carbon, resilient built environment, with a strong focus on housing.
📆 12th of March 2026
📍 BE-ST Innovation Campus
🔗 buff.ly/2guxpYe
The Tardis has landed at West College Scotland!
Built by Tier 1 contractors and BE-ST, this test bay improves Passivhaus builds through real-world testing. Students can now get hands-on experience.
Learn more ➡️ buff.ly/tFCqRIy
Scotland's National Retrofit Centre at the BE-ST Innovation Campus is now home to Apex Training, where they will use the centre to deliver a comprehensive and flexible green skills programme.
🔗 buff.ly/sOovv5l
We’re hosting an online workshop (4 Feb) to gather industry insight and ensure any future cluster reflects real sector needs, priorities and opportunities.
Open to contractors, manufacturers, designers, tech providers & supporting orgs.
📆 Wednesday 4th February | 9.30am – 11am
➡️ buff.ly/yQ86nbs
Edinburgh Napier University has been named as one of the eight Prize-winning institutions who will take part in The Royal Anniversary Trust's unique Exchange programme designed to foster new transatlantic collaborations and partnerships between UK and US universities and colleges ➡️ buff.ly/ktoPW12
📣 Help shape Scotland's Built Environment Cluster.
We’re gathering industry insight to inform a national, industry-led Built Environment Cluster, focused on innovation, low-carbon construction and productivity.
👉 Take the survey: buff.ly/RvceWrE
The A-Z Podcast is back, starting with a live episode from BE-ST Fest featuring Tomas O’Leary from Mosart.
Coming up ➡️ Lizzy Westmacott, Amandeep Kalra, Matthew Clubb, Brogan MacDonald, Tara Gbolade & Roddy Yarr.
🎧 Catch up on previous episodes while you wait: buff.ly/z1YcVwz
Each year, we're proud to share the exceptional work our Accelerate to Zero Postgraduate Scholarship students have been doing.
This year's cohort has tackled net zero construction, mental health in the industry, urban design equity and much more.
📖 Read the case studies - buff.ly/MoX4DNV
The Accelerate to Zero podcast returns today with a live recording from BE-ST Fest, focusing on Scaling Solutions, exploring how we chart a viable path to a sustainable future. In this episode, we are joined by Tomas O’Leary, Managing Director of Mosart.
Listen now ➡️ buff.ly/ymlp8bD
