Ours is the sanctuary of innovative, sustainable, and carbon-conscious property development.
The term ‘net zero’ has taken root in our collective consciousness, encompassing a nuanced spectrum of definitions, particularly when applied to property construction. At the core of our ethos, we understand the duality of the term. It is our commitment to shape edifices that balance ‘net-zero carbon’ in their operational footprint and the construction process.
Since the UK fortified its stance against global warming in 2008, being the first economy to legally abide by international commitments, ‘net zero’ has gradually become a prevalent directive. The goal is simple but ambitious – eliminate all greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and balance any unavoidable emissions with offsetting endeavours such as tree-planting and innovative carbon capture technology.
However, the built environment sector, responsible for nearly half of the global greenhouse gas emissions, is a complex puzzle piece in this endeavour. If the UK is to uphold its commitment, the construction industry must tackle the urgency of energy-efficient building design and a carbon-neutral construction process.
Understanding a ‘net-zero carbon’ building requires multiple viewpoints – operational energy consumption, initial construction, and the building’s complete lifecycle. The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) champions a two-pronged approach, factoring in both operational usage and construction practice.
This is the guiding principle for our company.
A net-zero building in operation ensures zero or negative carbon emissions linked with the building’s annual energy use. The carbon emissions of construction are based on the product and construction stages, whether via offset or the use of onsite renewable energy. Only when both these aspects achieve net-zero is a building actually net-zero.
Embracing our journey to become a net-zero business, our priority is to deliver close to carbon-neutral constructions, using low-carbon materials and the maximum extent of onsite renewable energy. Partnering with the Carbon Trust, we are in the process of creating a tool to independently measure and certify our commitment to the international carbon-neutral standard PAS 2060.
