Circle 2025 Agenda – GBCI Europe Circle

GBCI Europe Circle 2025

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Circle 2025 program

Wednesday, May 14 – afternoon LEED workshops at Cubex (optional)

13:30

Registration

14:00

Workshop – LEED v5 Design & Construction

The session will present the impact areas – decarbonization, quality of life, and ecological conservation and restoration – and how they are aligned with LEED v5 credits to drive real-world change. It will review each credit category and discuss key prerequisites and credits. The session will also present the key changes from LEED v4/v4.1 and the available tools and resources to support project teams. The workshop will be delivered by Stephanie Young, U.S. Green Building Council, VP Client Solutions and Corey Enck, U.S. Green Building Council, VP LEED Technical Development.

Learning level: Intermediate
Continuing Education: This session will be registered for 3 hours LEED Specific BD+C, ID+C GBCI CE credit

14:00

Workshop – LEED v5 Operations & Maintenance

Join us for a half-day workshop that dives into the principles and framework of the LEED v5 Operations and Maintenance (O+M) rating system. This workshop provides a comprehensive understanding of how existing buildings can contribute to critical environmental and social imperatives through the LEED v5 O+M framework.

The session will present the impact areas – decarbonization, quality of life, and ecological conservation and restoration – and how they are aligned with LEED v5 credits to drive real-world change. It will review each credit category and discuss key prerequisites and credits. The session will also present the key changes from LEED v4/v4.1, examples of LEED v5 projects, and the available tools and resources to support project teams. The workshop will be delivered by Kat Wagenschutz, U.S. Green Building Council, Director of Existing Buildings.

Learning level: Intermediate
Continuing Education: This session will be registered for 3 hours LEED Specific O+M GBCI CE credit

14:00

Workshop – Sustainable Portfolios

Join GRESB and USGBC to gain key insights to advance your portfolio-level performance goals, manage data, verify ESG progress, and tools and strategies to efficiently complete GRESB Assessments using the new PERFROM platform launched this year by USGBC.

Find out how to get started with the PERFORM Verification Platform, ESG strategies and GRESB, and tools & best practices to streamline data reporting from presenters Jeff Benavides – U.S. Green Building Council, Emily Heppard – U.S. Green Building Council; Chris Pyke – GRESB, Francesca Galati – FGB and Mike Williams – Climate First.

Learning level: Beginner
Continuing Education: This session will be registered for 3.5 hours of GBCI CE credit

Included

Coffee and a light snack

End 18:00

Wednesday, May 14 – evening event at Crossroads Church

19:00

Registration and admission

Welcome reception

Crossroads Church Network Dine with old friends and toast with new connections at this networking-orientated catered reception

End 22:30

(We would all love to stay on, but we have a full day tomorrow!)

Thursday, May 15 – Circle 2025 – conference at Cubex

08:15

Registration and coffee

09:00

Welcome and opening addresses – from Innovation to Impact

Kay Killmann GBCI Europe
Iveta Králová CzGBC
George Dimou DAIKIN Europe

09:30

Keynote Address

Peter Templeton USGBC

09:45

PANEL: Finding the competitive edge in uncertain times – sustainable finance, risk mitigation and adaptation

Economic, political and climate related uncertainty is forcing real estate to rethink how to remain competitive and sustainability is critical for businesses that want to stay ahead in a complex world. As high GDP economies are increasingly exposed to climate risks, companies with credible sustainability projects can create real value and ROI as well as increase stock prices. In this panel leaders in sustainable finance, real estate, audit, reporting and advisory services will share how climate challenges are becoming a significant business opportunity and how investors can effectively stay ahead of the curve.

10:30

Coffee, snacks and discussions

11:00

PANEL: Revolutionizing construction materials in the race to zero carbon, zero waste and circularity – an exemplary case of market transformation

Historically the construction sector has been linked to significant environmental issues, including resource depletion, high energy consumption, and waste generation. Today there is evidence that a transformative shift has emerged as awareness of the urgent need for sustainable building practices grows which is revolutionizing building materials. In this panel, we will discuss what is driving the evolution in construction materials and key trends which are transforming the industry.

11:45

Introduction to PERFORM

our brand new tool which assists organizations and portfolios in setting goals, measuring progress against user-defined targets, and obtaining third-party verification from GBCI to demonstrate improvement and progress. PERFORM supports various portfolio-level metrics across emissions, energy, water, waste, health, resilience, biodiversity and social impact.

12:25 – 13:25 Catered lunch

Lunch buffet, interaction with exhibitors, networking

13:25

PechaKucha-style sessions

Capturing Climate Alpha with Green Real Estate
Nature’s wisdom
Fueling the Future: The Power of Venture & Human Capital in Scaling Sustainability Startups
Bridging the Carbon Gap for Net-Zero Buildings
AI-Driven Hospitality Tech Platform for Sustainable Revenue & Improved Guest Experience
TRUE Zero Waste and Circularity

14:25

PANEL: Sustainable hospitality in Europe – an opportunity for environmental, social and economic impact to local communities

15:10

Coffee, desserts and discussions

15:40

PANEL: Tools and initiatives to facilitate the successful implementation of the revised EPBD directive to effectively scale up decarbonization in the EU

There are numerous frameworks, tools and technology to help the building sector design, build and operate more efficient buildings, as well as to effectively renovate the vast European existing building stock. Yet the EU is still far from achieving its targets while metrics, methodology and policies for energy performance among EU member states varies.

In this discussion we will hear about various initiatives which governments, NGOs, professional associations and the private sector are offering to bridge the gap and explore how there can be increased synergy to scale up impact.

16:25

LEED v5 and EU taxonomy compliance

16:55

Keynote: “From Linear to Circular: Can We Make the Economics of Change Work in a world of turmoil?”

17:25

Closing remarks

17:40

Circle closing celebration (Champaigne reception)

END 18:30

May 15 – evening meetups

Several organizatios / special interest groups are planning to sponsor evening meetups.
CIRCLE2025 participants will be notified with a chance to sign up before the event.

Want to host a meetup? Contact us! The deadline for final submission is MAY 7

Friday, May 16 – Prague LEED tours

08:30

Pre-tour meetups, locations: TBA

09:00

LEED deep-dive technical tour

Some people will jump from turret to turret and claim to have seen a castle. If you, however, will not be satisfied until you have explored the dungeon, examined the roof construction, and had some hard questions answered about waste water management, this is the tour for you.
DETAILS We will visit Skanska’s Port 7 and explore its engineering and sustainability achievements in detail. The team will show you: how it optimized its certification pathway via the LEED v4 – WELL v2 crosswalk, Port 7’s LEED Campus approach, smart building technology and more.

09:00

LEED in Prague walking tour GROUP A

Join us as we explore a few of Prague’s exceptional LEED properties. We’ve handpicked the finest examples located in the heart of the city. A project specialist will guide you through the distinctive features of each site, offering insights into the diverse applications of LEED principles. Return home inspired with fresh ideas!
DETAILS This 2-km walking tour visits three LEED-certified Prague landmarks: Masaryčka, the Julius Hotel and Palác Dunaj.

10:00

LEED in Prague walking tour – GROUP B

09:00

Prague cultural tour

After all that hard work, you deserve a break so why not take a few hours to appreciate the beauty and history of this amazing city! Of course, we can still talk shop and network while enjoying the highlights of Prague.
DETAILS Walking tour of approximately 5 km led by Prague tour guide.