PROJECT. COLLABORATION. INNOVATION.

Richard O’Hegarty is a decarbonisation specialist focused on delivering practical, evidence-based solutions for reducing the carbon impact of buildings and construction. His work combines academic research, industry experience, and policy engagement to help accelerate the transition to a low-carbon built environment. As a Research Fellow at University College Dublin and a decarbonisation consultant with RKD, Richard has developed expertise across a broad range of sustainability challenges, from low-carbon concrete and façade technologies to heat pump performance and whole-life carbon assessment. He is an active contributor to academic research and regularly publishes on topics related to building decarbonisation and sustainable construction. A Civil Engineer by training, Richard holds a Master’s degree in Structural Engineering and a PhD focused on façade-integrated concrete solar collectors. His career spans academia and industry, including post-doctoral research on national-scale carbon quantification of the built environment and leadership experience as R&D Manager with Techrete, a global leader in architectural precast concrete manufacturing. More recently, Richard has advised Irish policymakers on the implementation of life cycle assessment methodologies and low-carbon concrete procurement guidance. He also works closely with developers, contractors, and project teams seeking to embed meaningful decarbonisation strategies into the design and delivery of the built environment. Richard is passionate about working with curious, forward-thinking people who value evidence, understanding, and continuous learning. He believes that informed decisions are the foundation of effective climate action.