S1E11: Davos, Trump’s Energy Agenda, and the Built Environment with Simon McWhirter (Deputy Chief Executive, UKGBC) and Simon Phelan (Founder & CEO, Hometree)

In episode 11 of The Smart Society Show, co-hosts Brynne Kennedy and Chris Skidmore break down the key takeaways from Davos, analyzing the global reaction to the new U.S. administration’s energy policies, the impact of deregulation on markets, and what it all means for the future of the energy transition. They also examine the growing divide between U.S. and European approaches to climate policy and investment.

This week, in our Chasing Net-Zero segment, we are joined by Simon McWhirter, Deputy CEO of the UK Green Building Council, to explore the critical role of the built environment in achieving net zero. He discusses the urgent need for scaling sustainable construction, the regulatory shifts shaping green buildings, and how new technologies are transforming the sector.

In our Chasing Unicorns segment, Simon Phelan, Founder and CEO of Hometree, shares how his company is reshaping home energy services by integrating financing, renewable installations, and maintenance solutions. He explains how innovative business models can accelerate residential decarbonization and why the shift to a market-driven energy transition presents massive opportunities for growth.