The Urgency of Decarbonisation

The built environment is one of the most significant contributors to climate change. According to the UK Green Building Council, it influences 42% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions and directly controls 25%. As the Government has committed to achieving an 81% reduction in emissions by 2035, the pressure on our sector to decarbonise has never been greater. Yet until recently, there has been little guidance on how nationwide Net Zero targets should be applied to buildings in practice.

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The UKNZCBS Pilot

The new UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (UKNZCBS) is set to change that. This groundbreaking framework introduces sector-specific energy and carbon targets that bring the trajectory of the built environment into line with UK climate goals. For the logistics sector, the inclusion of tailored metrics is particularly significant. Logistics has been growing rapidly but, until now, lacked benchmarks that reflected its unique challenges and opportunities.

Applying the Standard in Practice

At Chetwoods, we are proud to be contributing to the pilot stage of the new Standard on one of just 205 pilot projects nationwide, and one of only 19 in the logistics sector.

From the outset the design of the logistics scheme, currently in planning, has been rooted in the guiding principles of the UKNZCBS, targeting the 2025 performance metrics through a data-driven, performance-led apfor proach. We are pursuing a low embodied carbon specification by selecting materials and construction methods that minimise upfront emissions, while integrating photovoltaic panels to generate on-site renewable energy.

The scope of the project exemplifies the Standard’s potential: a logistics facility designed to meet 2025 embodied and operational carbon targets, targeting BREEAM Excellent, and embedding wellbeing, biodiversity and circularity. Beyond technical performance, it provides a future-proofed workplace that supports local employment while reducing environmental impact.

Future Direction

The pilot is not only about applying the Standard but helping to shape it. Drawing on our award-winning experience in sustainable logistics and our use of the UKGBC’s Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework, we are feeding back more generally into Version 1. Our team is active in technical forums and surveys, sharing insights to ensure the Standard is both ambitious and practical.

As the pilot does not yet extend to a Practical Completion stage claim, we are also developing our own methodologies to assess speculative projects. This includes detailed energy modelling across multiple scenarios and accounting for future fit-out and finishes, with valuable early-stage design embedding sustainability before key decisions are fixed.

The pilot has also sparked important conversations across the industry. Among them is the case for a single ‘Whole Life Carbon’ metric, combining embodied and operational emissions into one measure, which could strengthen the argument for retrofit over demolition and drive more circular approaches.

The launch of the UKNZCBS marks a turning point for our sector. For the first time, we have a consistent national standard that aligns our buildings with Net Zero ambitions. At Chetwoods, we are proud to be helping to shape and apply it in practice, not only to meet targets, but to deliver lasting social, environmental, and economic value.

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By Ellen Willis, Chetwoods Thrive Sustainability Consultant

Ellen Willis joined Chetwoods in 2022 as a member of the Thrive team, and is committed to advancing sustainability within the practice and the wider industry. Her work spans materials research, circular economy strategies, embodied carbon analysis, and WELL AP certification. She supports our project teams through design workshops and sustainability reviews, ensuring every project is informed by the latest thinking.

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