Imagine it is 2050, and you are being asked to look back to 2020 and comment on how life changed. What will you say? You probably assume I am inviting you to reflect on the impact of covid. And perhaps I am, but only at the margins. In the centreground, for me, is the awakening of the world’s response to climate change, and a more profound appreciation of our impact generally, as humans, on our planet and our societies.

This affects everyone, everywhere, but the readership of Building have more scope than most to make a difference. In her inaugural presidential address to the Institution of Civil Engineers, Rachel Skinner hammered home the message that those of us involved in infrastructure, building and construction are front and centre of the world’s challenge to tackle climate change, with our sector responsible for around 70% of all carbon emissions, through energy, transport, and materials such as cement.

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