Zero Carbon Design 2030

In 2021, we undertook the next phase of our zero carbon journey, Zero30, which is to have all our projects be net zero carbon by 2030. Zero30 builds on our 2020 achievements, when we were the first engineering consultancy in the world to be certified as carbon neutral by the Carbon Trust, and we are also aiming to be carbon positive by 2025.

As part of Zero30, we are interrogating our current approach, which is to rely on a handful of specialists in our company to deliver “sustainable” designs. Much of what we do is compliance or rating tool driven. Step 1 is to establish which parts of the carbon footprint a team can directly control, and which parts a team can influence by working with others.

To achieve our Zero 30 global goals and targets, we need to inspire everyone in Cundall to collaborate, learn, share and support our people, clients and industry to deliver buildings and infrastructure with the lowest possible carbon footprint. A key part of the initiative is to engage everyone in the business to support achieving our goals. Over 10% of our staff are not directly involved in technical delivery, but still have a key role in enabling us to achieve our goal.

The image above shows our Zero Carbon Design 30 pathway. By December 2022, we will have a documented zero-carbon pathway on all projects across the business. There are two further milestones before we hit our final milestone of 100% of projects delivered by Cundall being zero carbon in 2030.

Zero Carbon Design 2030 is so important to us as it will:

‚ Engage the whole business (every level, every team, every office, every project, every time) with a common goal fundamental to our mission, vision and values

‚ Improve technical delivery and efficiency – business-as-usual solutions won’t cut it anymore

‚ Win more high-profile and fulfilling projects

Ensure we don’t get left behind by the wider industry

We have 80 Advocates from around the global business from all disciplines whose roles include facilitating conversation within teams around zero carbon, helping develop zero carbon plans for their team and specifying targets for implementing zero carbon pathways.