Achieving a Zero Carbon Future: Essential Insights for Sustainable Development

In order to achieve this, the built environment industry is working together to ensure all new projects are net zero carbon in operation - a requirement urgently needed to be achieved by 2030. This mandate underscores the urgency for transformative action within the construction industry. But what essential insights do you need to know to help you achieve this?

"Net zero" refers to the obtaining a balance between the amount of greenhouse gases produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere. Achieving net zero means the emissions produced by human activities are balanced through absorbing an equivalent amount from the atmosphere.

This can be achieved through various solutions, including:

• reducing emissions,
• adopting cleaner technologies,
• implementing carbon capture and storage,
• and investing in projects that remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, such as afforestation or reforestation.

The concept of reaching net zero emissions is of great importance in the context of addressing climate change.

In the built environment, it's important to acknowledge the impact we have on the environment and explore approaches to sustainable construction.

A net zero carbon building is one that maximises energy efficiency and relies on renewable energy sources, both on-site and off-site, to power the building's operations. Any remaining carbon emissions are balanced out through offset measures to achieve a net zero carbon building.

As well as being a route to sustainable construction, net zero carbon buildings offer several benefits for your built environment projects, including:

• Reduced energy costs
• Improved indoor comfort for occupants
  
• Enhanced building resilience
• Market differentiation
  
• Regulatory compliance
• Reduced environmental impact
• Increased asset value

All these benefits will help accelerate your construction projects, but where do you begin?

We have identified 4 steps to help you design, build, verify and maintain zero carbon developments throughout your projects lifecycle. It's vital to:

1. Understand the brief
2. Set the targets
3. Agree the contract
4. Deliver and review

Our SCAPE lifecycle guide offers the UK’s first viable framework procurement route to design, build, verify and maintain zero carbon developments. This guide will explain when you need to adopt a lifecycle approach, explain the process, highlight the benefits and provide you with essential insights and steps for sustainable development success.

Fill out the form below to download your free guide today.