Birmingham will continue to lead the sustainability agenda at MIPIM (Thursday 10th March) as over 50 international delegates gather for a high profile debate on how cities should support zero carbon property.

Led by property expert Nick Duxbury, the debate will see industry leaders including David Adams, Head of Retrofit for Willmott Dixon and Founder of the Zero Carbon Hub; Bo Aronsson, Project Manager for RiverCity Gothenburg, City of Gothenburg and Mark Barrow, Strategic Director of Development at Birmingham City Council, discuss the measures global cities must put in place to meet the demands of growing zero carbon targets and legislation.

UK Housing Minister Grant Shapps recently confirmed that all UK commercial buildings will be zero carbon from 2019. While the announcement was welcomed by the industry, there are concerns about potential costs - which some believe will prove challenging for commercial developers.

Delegates will hear how Birmingham and Gothenburg are tackling the challenge, with Barrow highlighting the city's agenda setting measures.

Leader of Birmingham City Council, Cllr Mike Whitby, said:

"Birmingham is a city with vision and commitment to sustainable building and development, seen through such measures as our £100million commitment to the largest public housing retrofit project in the UK and a pledge to reduce the city's overall carbon emissions by 60% in 2026.

"Our 20 year Big City Plan also leads the way by providing a blueprint for the development of the city - allowing potential investors to see how Birmingham will develop both physically and as a leading sustainable destination."

On today's event, Mark Barrow, Strategic Director of Development at Birmingham City Council, said:

"Today's event provides an opportunity for us to share our insight into planning the sustainable future of the city and to learn about the experiences of Gothenburg - another European city leading the green building agenda - and to show investors that Birmingham is the city to watch."

Leader of Birmingham City Council, Cllr Mike Whitby, who is leading the city's delegation at MIPIM, will also showcase the latest images and fly-through sequences of the new £193 million Library of Birmingham at an afternoon event. The new Library will be an iconic development and a symbol of the city's commitment and investment in its future.