Joanna Lumley, Jonathan Dimbleby, Greg Barker MP and Paul Morrell amongst big names set to speak at Ecobuild

With just under six weeks to go until the world’s biggest event for the sustainable built environment, Ecobuild (www.ecobuild.co.uk) has lined up some of the biggest names in the industry to discuss, debate and challenge future thinking.

Taking to the stage this year will be Joanna Lumley, Jonathan Dimbleby, Emily Maitlis, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Rt Hon Gregory Barker MP, Rt Hon Michael Fallon MP, Professor Sir David King, Paul Morrell, Leo Johnson and many more.

During the event, over 1,100 expert speakers will deliver Ecobuild’s unrivalled conference and seminar programme. Over 140 sessions will feature topics as diverse as Green for growth - reality check, Reinventing the high street, The Green Deal and ECO – is it delivering?, Better through BIM and Buildings in use – in a variety of formats, from lectures to panel discussions, conference sessions to applied seminars.

As the worldwide ambassador of Plan A, the eco and ethical programme which aims to make M&S the world's most sustainable major retailer, and a key member of M&S' Sustainable Retail Advisory Board*, Joanna Lumley will join in conversation with Jonathan Dimbleby in the spectacular Ecobuild Arena on 6th March as part of the ‘Beyond Construction’ stream. Kicking off the retail debate on the first day is British journalist and newsreader Emily Maitlis, who will cover a session on ‘Reinventing the high street’.

‘Green for growth - reality check’ will see the Rt Hon Michael Fallon MP tackle the topic of what and where should we invest in green infrastructure to get the maximum benefit. Television presenter and journalist Krishnan Guru-Murthy will join Fallon as part of the ‘Making Construction Happen’ stream to cover ‘Is the NPPF delivering on its promise of 'sustainable development?’

Following the Government’s redefinition of zero carbon, cut backs on renewables subsidies and watered down Part L of the Building Regulations, former chief construction adviser Paul Morrell OBE joins the Ecobuild line-up on 5th March to head up a lively debate to answer the all important question ‘Is this the end of the road for zero carbon?’

Taking on what is set to be a energetic debate on Ecobuild’s third day (7th March 2013), Sir David King, Former Chief Scientific Advisor, Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) will ask the thought-provoking question ‘Is there a future for nuclear?’

Tom Broughton, Brand Director for Ecobuild said: “Ecobuild has hosted a wealth of big name speakers in recent years and the 2013 conference programme is no exception. This year, they will each be joined by a specially selected panel of industry chiefs to engender debate and impart best practice across their industry areas.”

For the full line-up and session details, please visit www.ecobuild.co.uk/conference. To register for your FREE ticket, please visit www.ecobuild.co.uk/register.