International workspace provider HB Reavis has announced its pathway to achieve net zero carbon across all future projects in UK by 2030.

With three major developments in the UK comprising over 1.5million sq ft of office-led, mixed-use schemes, HB Reavis UK is setting a robust framework with ambitious 2030 reduction targets for its current pipeline* and future acquired projects.

Targets for all future acquired projects and HB Reavis UK corporate emissions include:

  • 50% reduction on project embodied carbon
  • 60% reduction on project operational energy
  • 35% reduction on emissions from corporate activities

Named Straight to Zero, the pathway sets ambitious and transparent targets to become net zero carbon according to the sector-recognised UK Green Building Council’s (UKGBC) definition. HB Reavis will achieve these targets by driving immediate impact and regularly monitoring and measuring results to stay accountable and deliver on its targets.

To reach net zero embodied carbon associated with new development material extraction, transportation and construction, HB Reavis will follow a set process. First, it will measure the baseline embodied carbon as if pursuing business as usual. HB Reavis will then design the project to minimise and achieve the embodied carbon target of <475kgCO2/m2, a reduction of 50% compared to the LETi 2020 baseline. It will offset residual embodied carbon emissions estimated at detailed design stage to have immediate benefit. Finally, it will re-baseline embodied carbon emissions once the building reaches practical completion, offsetting any reoccurring residual emissions if required to ensure net zero or carbon negative.

Offsetting will be pursued as a last resort after maximising carbon reductions through design. The offsetting strategy is an equal split between nature and technology-based offset projects with the funds released as early as possible to have maximum environmental impact. It aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, measured through third-party verification and certification.

Applying a similar set process to operational carbon: HB Reavis will measure baseline operational carbon at the outset; design for performance and target a 60% reduction to 55kwh/m2/y by 2030 compared to a 2017 baseline in base-build operational energy and procure renewable energy for all-electric buildings to run carbon-free. It will follow-up through continuous and collaborative fine-tuning with occupiers to reduce energy consumption, enabling them to meet their own carbon reduction goals.