Circular economy and climate resilience: key takeaways from our Manchester breakfast briefing

Conversation centred on moving decisively from policy to practice. Delegates examined how national direction on circularity and resource efficiency can guide practical decision-making for clients, local authorities and supply chains in the North of England. We discussed aligning project briefs with circular objectives from the outset, prioritising materials retention, adaptability and future deconstruction, so that whole-life value drives choices rather than upfront capital cost alone. Far from adding inevitable premium, early, collaborative decisions were shown to reduce lifetime cost and risk while improving asset performance.

Speakers emphasised a pragmatic path: start with robust data, trial targeted interventions, such as resource recovery audits ahead of refurbishment or local climate risk reviews and scale what works across estates. This approach is particularly powerful for existing buildings. Retention and adaptive reuse frequently offer the strongest sustainability outcomes, and for heritage or traditionally constructed assets a holistic methodology, sensitive fabric upgrades, appropriate services strategies and planned maintenance, can deliver efficiency and resilience without unintended consequences.

Attendees also explored the importance of using local climate projections to stress-test designs beyond overheating alone, accounting for future rainfall, storm intensity and maintenance regimes. Recent project work at Pick Everard, combining building surveying, MEP and cost consultancy, demonstrates how data-led assessments can enhance performance, reduce operational risk and future-proof assets while respecting significance, users and budgets. This integrated methodology is directly applicable to Manchester’s diverse estate, from campuses and civic buildings to healthcare and commercial portfolios.