CIBSE played a central role at elementalLONDON on 19–20 November at Excel London, leading two dedicated Build2Perform theatres – Synergy and Influence – designed to inform, inspire, and shape the future of the built environment. The event featured a welcome and keynote from CIBSE President Vince Arnold, who reflected on leadership, legacy, and collective responsibility in the context of the built environment.
As the authoritative voice of building services engineers, CIBSE curated a programme that addressed the sector’s most pressing challenges. Themes ranged from decarbonisation and building performance to climate resilience, collaboration, inclusion, and social value. The theatres featured insights not only from CIBSE-led sessions but also from organisations such as IES, NIBE, Dutypoint, RIBA, VES, Multi-Circuit, Snap-One, and the Construction Inclusion Coalition, alongside contributions from CIBSE’s Building Simulation Group.
Presidential keynote highlights
In his opening plenary, Vince Arnold emphasised CIBSE’s growth and global impact. He highlighted that the institution had become the fastest-growing major professional engineering institution worldwide, with more than 22,000 members across nearly 100 countries. He reflected on his Presidential theme, Paying it Forward, encouraging attendees to use their expertise, mentorship, and influence to create a lasting, positive impact on the profession.
Arnold’s keynote touched on several key themes explored during the event: the use of intelligence and technology as enablers, the retrofitting and decarbonisation of complex urban environments, the intersection of health, comfort, and environmental performance, and the transition to low-carbon heating and electrification. He also stressed the importance of human-centred approaches, including diversity, inclusion, and professional ecosystems, highlighting how these dimensions are essential for a resilient and high-performing built environment.
Technical leadership and collaboration
CIBSE’s Technical Director, Dr Anastasia Mylona, participated in a closed-door leadership event on the first day of elementalLONDON, titled Leadership Action Summit: Building a Task Force for Rapid Decarbonisation. The panel brought together senior decision-makers from government, merchants, manufacturers, architects, developers, and contractors to identify barriers to collaboration and delivery. The discussions aimed to outline a “Built Environment Decarbonisation Task Force” and produce actionable next steps and a draft framework for collective delivery.
Showcasing expertise and innovation
The Build2Perform theatres offered attendees practical guidance on decarbonisation, building performance, and climate resilience. Sessions included the future of heating, cooling, and heat pump applications, strategies for improving indoor environmental quality, and approaches to creating socially responsible, inclusive, and accountable built environments. CIBSE provided a platform for sharing best practice, technical guidance, and insights from across the sector, reinforcing its role as a trusted voice in the transition to a sustainable built environment.
Looking forward
elementalLONDON 2025 demonstrated CIBSE’s ongoing commitment to thought leadership, professional development, and collaboration across the built environment. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, advancing discussions on decarbonisation, and showcasing practical solutions for performance and resilience, CIBSE strengthened its position at the forefront of industry transformation.
Through its involvement in elementalLONDON, CIBSE reaffirmed its dedication to shaping the future of building services engineering, inspiring professionals to design healthier, safer, and more sustainable buildings for decades to come.