Podcasts

Construction and The Climate Podcast
In this podcast, Camilla ter Haar and Ruth Keating, barristers at 39 Essex Chambers, discuss the key climate change issues relating to the construction sector.
The built environment and construction sector accounts for 38% of global carbon emissions and it has been estimated that globally every week we build the equivalent of a city the size of Paris. The building sector is therefore well-positioned to have a significant impact on emissions reductions – future legal requirements and case law will reflect this.
This podcast focusses on what the trends in climate change related litigation, legislation and guidance mean for our construction sector clients.
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Episodes
Latest
Episode 38 - Decarbonizing Infrastructure
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In this episode, Camilla and Ruth are joined by Andrew Kidd, Director of Environmental Sustainability for the Lower Thames Crossing at National Highways. Andrew shares insights into his role leading National Highways’ decarbonisation strategy for the...
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Episode 37 - Timber and Greener Construction
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In this episode, Ruth and Camilla discuss the use of timber in construction with Andrew Carpenter (CEO of the Structural Timber Association/STA). Over a career spanning over 40 years, Andrew has played an active part in the construction industr...
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Episode 36 - Climate considerations and the National Planning Policy Framework
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In this episode, 39 Essex Chambers barristers Ruth Keating and Camilla ter Haar discuss climate considerations and the National Planning Policy Framework with barrister colleague, Richard Harwood KC. They discuss proposed reforms to the NPPF along wi...
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Episode 35 - The UN Sustainability Goals in Construction
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In this podcast, Camilla and Ruth discuss the UN Sustainability Goals with Ciara Keegan of Congruent Consulting.Ciara is a chartered quantity surveyor and accredited mediator. She has a Masters of Science, in Construction Law from KCL and an LLM in I...
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Episode 34 - Decarbonising Facades
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In this podcast episode Camilla and Ruth are joined by David Metcalfe, a Director of the Centre for Window and Cladding Technology (CWCT). Camilla, Ruth and David discuss embodied carbon in relation to facades, the technical challenges, the facades i...
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Episode 33 - Decarbonising Infrastructure and PAS 2080
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In this episode, Camilla and Ruth talk to Lewis Barlow, Trustee, carbon and climate at ICE. They also discuss PAS2080: 2023, its updates and aims.Lewis was a member of both the PAS2080:2023 (Carbon Management in Buildings and Infrastructure) steering...
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Episode 32 - Global Trends in Climate Litigation 2024
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In this episode, Camilla ter Haar and Ruth Keating discuss trends in climate change litigation with Catherine Higham. Catherine is a Policy Fellow at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Econom...
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Episode 31 - AI and the Future of Greener Construction
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In this episode, Camilla ter Haar and Ruth Keating from 39 Essex Chambers are joined by Martha Tsigkari of Foster + Partners. Martha is a Senior Partner and Head of the Applied Research + Development group at Foster + Partners. She has a background i...
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Episode 30 - Greener Steel
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In this episode, Camilla ter Haar and Ruth Keating from 39 Essex Chambers are joined by Sarah Milne from H2 Green Steel. The Swedish start-up is building a plant in the Swedish town of Boden, just below the Arctic Circle. H2 Green Steel will produce ...
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Episode 29 - Regenerative Design
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In this episode Camilla ter Haar and Ruth Keating are joined by Andrew Mellor. Andrew Mellor is a Partner at PRP Architects. He has extensive experience in large-scale regeneration and leads PRP’s Development Consultancy and Research team, overseeing...
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Episode 28 - Building Eden
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In this episode Camilla ter Haar and Ruth Keating from 39 Essex Chambers are joined by Simon Wyatt. Simon is a Sustainability Partner at Cundall. At Cundall, Simon leads on net zero carbon and sustainable governance service streams, supporting client...
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Episode 27 - The UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard
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Jess Hrivnak is a Practice Technical Adviser (Sustainability) for the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Jess has been involved in developing the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard since its inception, representing the RIBA on the Stand...
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Episode 26 - Biodiversity Net Gain
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Biodiversity Net Gain is a way of creating and improving natural habitats – it is mandatory from 12 February 2024. In terms of the construction industry, developers are one of the groups who need to understand how Biodiversity Net Gain works. For thi...
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Episode 25 - Decarbonising Concrete
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A building block in most construction projects, concrete is responsible for about 8 percent of global carbon emissions. Several companies are working to create a greener mix. One of those companies is CarbonCure Technologies a company based in Halifa...
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Episode 24 - Force Majeure
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In this podcast episode, Camilla ter Haar and Ruth Keating discuss force majeure clauses – in particular how our understanding of force majeure may have to adapt over time in light of climate change.
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Episode 23 - Whole Life Carbon Assessment
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In this episode, Camilla ter Haar and Ruth Keating are joined by Simon Sturgis. Simon Sturgis is widely recognised as an expert, an innovator and a lateral thinker in delivering a low carbon, resource efficient, built environment. He has led UK think...
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Episode 22 - The Buildings & Climate Global Forum
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In this episode Camilla ter Haar and Ruth Keating are joined by Will Wild. Will is the Built Environment Lead at the Climate Champions Team. He supports the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions in accelerating the action and ambition of busine...
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Episode 21 - Environmental Product Declarations: in conversation with Dr Jane Anderson
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In this episode, Camilla ter Haar and Ruth Keating discuss Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) with Dr Jane Anderson of the Alliance for Sustainable Building Products.
Jane, Ruth and Camilla discuss the development, process and challenges asso...
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Episode 20 - Trends in Construction Arbitration: in conversation with Alexandre Vagenheim
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In this episode, Camilla ter Haar and Ruth Keating discuss trends in construction arbitration with Alexandre Vagenheim, Vice-President of Global Legal Data, Jus Mundi. Alexandre, Ruth and Camilla discuss trends relating to construction, environmental...
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Episode 19 - Quantifying Construction and Climate: Ruth Keating and Camilla ter Haar in conversation with Dan Miles
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In this episode, Ruth Keating and Camilla ter Haar are joined by Dan Miles. Dan is an experienced chartered quantity surveyor and expert witness working on high-value, complex disputes and has given evidence on multiple occasions in various internati...
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Episode 18 - Turning Rooftops into Gardens: Ruth Keating and Camilla ter Haar in conversation with Tim Cousin
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In this episode, Ruth Keating and Camilla ter Haar are joined by Tim Cousin of Roofscapes. Roofscapes is a startup from the MIT School of Architecture and Planning, with a mission of transforming untapped rooftops into green roofs as a way to mitigat...
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Episode 17 - Reflections on COP28: Ruth Keating and Camilla ter Haar in conversation with Will Wild
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In this episode, Ruth Keating and Camilla ter Haar are joined by Will Wild, the Built Environment Lead at the Climate Champions Team. Will talked through the profile and presence of the built environment at COP28, the sector’s response to the global ...
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Episode 16 - Building to COP: Ruth Keating and Camilla ter Haar in conversation with Audrey Nugent
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In this episode, Ruth Keating and Camilla ter Haar are joined by Audrey Nugent, Director of Global Advocacy at the World Green Building Council. Ruth, Camilla and Audrey discuss what to expect at COP28 in relation to the built environment; the Buildi...
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Episode 15 - How to Measure Embodied Carbon
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In this episode Camilla ter Haar and Ruth Keating discuss ‘How to Measure Embodied Carbon’ with Sean Clemons.
Sean Clemons is the UK Managing Director of MGAC and has a wealth of project experience both as a chartered quantity surveyor and as a proj...
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Episode 14 - Construction and The Climate - Focus on Retrofitting
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In this episode of Construction and the Climate, Ruth and Camilla discuss retrofitting – what is it, why does it matter and what legal challenges will retrofitting pose?
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Episode 13 - Construction and The Climate - Retrofitting
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In this episode Camilla ter Haar and Ruth Keating discuss ‘Retrofitting’ with Will Hurst.
Will Hurst is Managing Editor of Architects' Journal (AJ). He is an award-winning journalist who has spent his career writing about architecture and the built ...
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Episode 12 - Focus on Insurance
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In this episode, Camilla ter Haar and Ruth Keating are joined by Dominic Lion, director and head of sustainable real estate at Gallagher, a global insurance brokerage. Camilla, Ruth and Dominic discuss the insurance challenges for the construction se...
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Episode 11 - Five Highlights
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In this episode of Construction and the Climate, Ruth and Camilla look back on the ten episodes in the series so far and draw out five key highlights for listeners
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Episode 10 - Focus on Contractual Updates
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In this episode Camilla ter Haar and Ruth Keating discuss ‘Contracting for the Climate: Focus on Contractual Updates’ with Jeremy Glover.
Jeremy is a Partner at Fenwick Elliott LLP, specialising in construction, energy and engineering law ...
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Episode 9 - Global Trends
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In this episode Camilla ter Haar and Ruth Keating discuss ‘Contracting for the Climate: Global Trends’ with Tiffanie Chan.
Tiffanie is a Policy Analyst for the LSE’s Grantham Research Institute’s Climate Change Laws of the World project. She is curr...
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Episode 8 - Greenwashing (with Miles Lockwood)
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In this episode Camilla ter Haar and Ruth Keating discuss greenwashing claims with Miles Lockwood.
Miles is director of complaints and investigations at the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). Miles joined the ASA in 2010 and is responsible for l...
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Episode 7 - Greenwashing
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In this episode, Ruth Keating and Camilla ter Haar discuss greenwashing claims and how they relate to the construction sector. Camilla and Ruth discuss what can be done by the construction sector and those advising construction sector clients, on how...
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Episode 6 - The Road to Net Zero
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In this episode Camilla ter Haar and Ruth Keating discuss ‘Constructing for the Climate – The Road to Net Zero’ with Victoria Burrows.
Victoria is Director of Advancing Net Zero, World Green Building Council’s pioneering, global programme to acceler...
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Episode 5 - Sustainability and Responsibility
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In this episode Camilla ter Haar and Ruth Keating discuss ‘Contracting for the Climate – Sustainability and Responsibility’ with Tiong Teck Wee.
Tiong Teck Wee is the Co-Head of the Sustainability & Responsible Business Practice and a Partner in...
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Episode 4 - Building for the Future – Climate Change and the Built Environment
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In this episode Camilla ter Haar and Ruth Keating discuss ‘Building for the Future – Climate Change and the Built Environment’ with Stephen Hodder MBE.
Stephen is a former RIBA President and established the CIC Climate Change Committee. He is also t...
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Episode 3 - Building for the Future - Climate Change and Arbitration
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In this episode Camilla ter Haar and Ruth Keating discuss ‘Building for the Future – Climate Change and Arbitration’ with Jessica Crow. Jessica is an independent arbitrator (Arbitra International) who specialises in Energy and Natural Resources,...
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Episode 2 - Trends in Climate Change Litigation: Building for the Future
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In this episode Camilla ter Haar and Ruth Keating discuss ‘Building for the Future’ with Joana Setzer Assistant Professorial Research Fellow at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, at the London School of Econom...
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Episode 1 - Contracting for the Climate
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In this episode Camilla ter Haar and Ruth Keating discuss 'Contracting for the Climate' with Becky Annison of the Chancery Lane Project. This episode discusses some of the Chancery Lane Project's model clauses and tips for lawyers on how these clause...
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