Building a Greener future

In an era of rising climate concerns, resource constraints, and urgent calls for environmental action, the construction industry has emerged as both a challenge and an opportunity. Responsible for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, the built environment has immense potential to shift from being part of the problem to becoming a cornerstone of the solution.

At the heart of this transformation is a growing community of professionals committed to sustainable, high-performance building - and one organisation that has consistently championed this mission for over two decades is The Green Register.

Now, with Property Revolutions Limited (PRL) proudly joining its ranks, this is the perfect moment to shine a spotlight on the history, purpose, and powerful network behind The Green Register.

How The Green Register began

The Green Register was founded in 2000; a pivotal time when environmental sustainability was still a niche concept within the construction sector. At the time, few organisations provided independent, accessible training focused specifically on sustainable building practices.

Recognising this gap, Lucy Pedler, a qualified architect and passionate environmentalist, established The Green Register with a clear mission: to train all disciplines of the construction industry in sustainable building practices.

Over the years, what began as a small, dedicated initiative has evolved into one of the UK’s most respected organisations for sustainable construction professionals. Its philosophy remains unchanged: that education, collaboration, and continuous improvement are essential to creating a built environment that supports both people and the planet.

Education first, always

The Green Register exists to equip professionals - from architects and engineers to builders and technologists - with the knowledge and tools they need to design, specify, and construct more sustainably.

The core of the organisation’s work lies in its training programmes, which are designed to be:

• Independent - The Green Register doesn’t promote specific products or brands.
• Cross-disciplinary - Courses are open to all construction disciplines.
• Practical - Training is grounded in real-world application, not just theory.
• Cutting-edge - Topics evolve with the latest innovations, standards, and best practices.

Since its inception, the Register has trained thousands of professionals, creating ripple effects throughout the industry. Attendees consistently praise the quality, depth, and relevance of the content, as well as the opportunity to network with like-minded professionals.

Moving with the times

The Green Register is best known for its training portfolio, which ranges from beginner-friendly introductions to expert-level deep dives. Topics include:

• Low Carbon Design and Retrofit
• Moisture in Buildings
• Building Biology and Healthy Interiors
• Air Tightness and Thermal Bridging
• Natural Materials and Circular Economy Principles
• Sustainable Drainage and Water Efficiency
• Climate Resilience and Passive Cooling

CPDs offered can be found here.

The flagship “Sustainable Building & Services” series is particularly popular. It provides foundational knowledge across key topics, perfect for those looking to upskill quickly and comprehensively.

In recent years, the Register has also expanded into on-demand webinars, remote learning modules, and bespoke in-house training. All of which ensure that sustainability education is more flexible and accessible than ever before.

Cross-disciplinary collaboration: breaking down silos

One of the standout features of The Green Register is its ability to bring together different professions under a shared banner. Architects learn alongside engineers. Builders exchange insights with planners. Interior designers connect with environmental consultants. Indeed, The Green Register fosters a common language around sustainable building, which helps projects run more smoothly and achieve higher performance.

For us at Property Revolutions Limited, this collaborative context is especially valuable. It allows us to bridge the gap between conceptual design and technical implementation, aligning practical detailing with sustainability goals from the outset.

Advocacy and influence

While The Green Register is not a lobbying body, it has played a quiet yet influential role in shaping the conversation around green construction in the UK.

By consistently delivering robust training and highlighting emerging trends, the Register has helped raise expectations of what good sustainable design looks like: influencing both policy direction and industry standards.

The organisation also frequently partners with other sustainability leaders, such as the ASBP (Alliance for Sustainable Building Products), AECB, Passivhaus Trust, and RIBA, reinforcing its position within a broader ecosystem of positive change.

A trusted resource

For clients, developers, and homeowners looking for professionals who ‘walk the talk’, The Green Register provides a trusted directory of vetted individuals and firms.

The member listing is searchable by region and profession, helping to match sustainability-conscious clients with the right expertise. This creates valuable visibility for members, while helping to mainstream sustainability in real-world projects.

In a time when ‘greenwashing’ is rampant, The Green Register’s credibility and independence make it a beacon for quality and integrity.

The future of The Green Register

With the climate crisis accelerating, net-zero deadlines looming, and building performance under increasing scrutiny, organisations like The Green Register are no longer optional; they are essential.

The UK government’s 2050 net-zero target will require every aspect of the built environment to adapt. Retrofitting existing buildings, reducing embodied carbon, enhancing energy efficiency, and creating climate-resilient spaces are no longer ‘future plans’ - they are immediate imperatives.

Organisations as The Green Register ensure that professionals across the country are not only informed but empowered to lead this transformation. From planning and design to construction and handover, sustainability must be embedded in every step - and it starts with people who care and are willing to learn.

For anyone in the construction sector who believes in doing things better (PRL’s mantra is: ‘Smart People Using Smart Tools’), The Green Register is more than a resource - it’s a community and a catalyst.

To find out more about The Green Register, visit www.greenregister.org.uk to explore upcoming training events, view the member directory, or sign up to the newsletter for updates on sustainable construction.

Carl Dodd, Property Revolutions Ltd.