30 Views: How are we tackling carbon in the built environment?
What was previously a conversation about 'sustainability' in the built environment has, in 2025, become narrower, with a specific focus on 'carbon'.
The reduction of carbon, the saving and storing of carbon, embodied carbon versus operational carbon - and the associated challenges and opportunities with all of the aforementioned, it's at the centre of the sustainability targets, and has recently spurred the publication of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard, plus the Net Zero Public Sector Buildings Standard in Scotland - offering clarity, and even, might we suggest, a greater sense of hope for some.
Having hosted two seminars and a roundtable on the topic, plus a soon-to-be-launched exhibition in our Studios, we've had the privilege of speaking with many different sector professionals about how they're tackling the topic of carbon in a practical sense.
In our Views piece for this quarter, we share 30 comments from industry experts in answer to four questions. Perhaps most telling of the global sentiment, 'If you had a magic wand, what would you do to help the built environment hit Net Zero?' was the question with the most responses. And while there is currently no magic wand or silver bullet to put a stop to the climate crisis, there are a wealth of innovators working hard to make a difference.
Read on for a run-down of our 30 contributors' thoughts, suggestions, and feelings. A huge thanks to all who've taken part.
How are you working to reduce carbon in your schemes?
Michael Rogan, co-founder & director, Material Source Studio
"I'm experiencing this first-hand both personally and professionally.
"As part of the retrofit of my home, using materials with low embodied carbon is a focus. And over the next 12-months, I'm looking forward to learning more about how to overcome the challenges the built environment is facing through a live project.
"At Material Source Studio, low carbon is built into our business model - by their nature, our Studios are very carbon efficient due to their flexibility of use. In Manchester, I challenged the need for air conditioning, due to the way the building works and there being a lack of direct sunlight. The only area we used it in was the Theatre, which is 1/20 of the overall space. This not only cut down on cost and maintenance but lowered the Studio's carbon footprint. Low carbon heating and air conditioning systems have been a big factor in our search for the next Studio location too. Stay tuned!"
Heather Macsween, associate, Keppie
“My approach (to reducing carbon in our schemes) begins at the very start of the design process by questioning the brief, listening to clients and prioritising a fabric-first and fundamentally passive design approach.
"Increasingly, our live projects involve repurposing or reconfiguration of existing buildings, driven both by emerging legislation and our desire to understand and minimise the carbon impact of our ideas and decisions, being mindful of the potential disconnect between design and operation.
"I believe that architecture is fundamentally about people and collaboration is critical to delivering sustainable low carbon design solutions. We build good relationships with the design team, end users and operations teams to develop workable solutions, constantly learning and refining our methods by not being afraid to ask tough questions and challenging conventional thinking.”
Stephanie Porfyriou, project architect, AtkinsRéalis
"At our practice, our focus on sustainability drives us to reduce carbon emissions in all our projects by integrating sustainable principles from the very beginning of the design process. By embracing circular economy principles and lean design, we significantly reduce material use and waste, advocating for materials with lower embodied carbon such as recycled steel and timber.
"Our sustainability strategy includes implementing Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and working in harmony with the site's natural topography to further mitigate environmental impact. We prioritise passive energy optimisation and fabric-first approaches in our building design, combined with renewable energy sources like solar panels.
"We ensure flexibility and adaptability to climate change and evolving user needs, allowing for future disassembly and reuse. Through these comprehensive strategies, we aim to create buildings that are not only sustainable but also resilient, ready to meet the challenges of the future."
Stephen Clarke, director, Flexible Business Interiors
"Flexible Business Interiors is committed to reducing carbon across its schemes by delivering sustainable design, and prioritising sustainable materials and construction methods. By reusing and repurposing existing furniture, sourcing eco-friendly materials like recycled acoustic panels and cork wall coverings, and implementing energy-efficient solutions, FBI minimises environmental impact while maintaining high-quality designs.
"Working closely with clients and their design teams allows for the implementation of thoughtful space planning which can maximise natural light and reduce reliance on artificial lighting, further cutting energy consumption. FBI works hard to put sustainability at the heart of its projects, delivering innovative, low-carbon workspaces that support both business goals and a greener future.”
Nick Atkin, chief executive, Yorkshire Housing
"At Yorkshire Housing, we’re serious about reducing our carbon impact - whether in our homes or workspaces. We’re investing record sums to achieve net zero across all our homes by 2050, creating greener, more affordable places for people to live and work.
"This year we’re delivering our first ever zero-gas newbuild homes. This is part of our commitment that any new homes we build will now be gas-free. We’re also retrofitting existing homes with solar panels and battery storage, air source heat pumps, and high levels of insulation.
"But it doesn’t stop there. We’ve moved into Yorkshire’s first net-zero carbon workspace, proving sustainability runs through everything we do."
Michael Brown, director and co-founder, Altered Space
"Sustainability is central to our design approach, aiming to reduce carbon emissions in our Cockhedge and Stanley Square Schemes. The Cockhedge Masterplan includes a car-free residential community, promoting public transport and reducing car dependency.
"We prioritise carbon retention by repurposing existing structures, such as transforming outdated 1960s buildings at Stanley Square into a co-working space with natural ventilation. We continue exploring renewable energy solutions like solar panels and EV charging points to enhance energy efficiency and create a more environmentally responsible mixed-use development for our tenants and communities."
Sarah Dabbs, studio operations director, SpaceInvader
"The two areas of fit-outs with the highest embodied carbon are furniture and flooring. We always start therefore by examining which elements of these can be retained, upgraded or recycled, in order to avoid landfill.
"If we specify new products, we work extremely hard to ensure they have the best carbon performance possible for their type, with internal schedules designed to record a series of environmental key performance markers so we can actively monitor and inform clients if proposals fall short on these targets, enabling informed decisions.
"Our in-house sustainability research team also works continually to increase our collective knowledge on all sustainability issues within design."
What are the key challenges you face in the reduction of carbon?
Tim Hatton, interiors lead - London, HOK
"“Reducing embodied carbon in interior design faces several challenges, primarily due to a lack of regulation and incentives. This often leads to clients not pursuing life cycle assessments (LCAs) or low-carbon products, which can be costlier. For smaller projects, measuring embodied carbon is often seen as optional, and voluntary LCAs can be time-consuming and add pressure to project timelines.
"Product data availability remains a significant challenge. Environmental product declarations (EPDs) are crucial for accurate LCAs, but their availability is still limited. Without EPDs, using near-equivalent products can lead to varying carbon footprints, and material assessments with generic data introduce uncertainty.
"For the past five years, we have been collecting data to track sustainability metrics for interior materials. We’ve set specific goals around embodied carbon, green chemistry, bio-based content, sustainable sourcing, and social responsibility for our 26 global offices. While we have yet to meet all our targets, our progress is encouraging. Our goal is for the teams designing every HOK project—from a small tenant fit out to a large new building—to select and track healthy, sustainable materials. We’re doing this not just because our clients ask for it, but because it’s who we are. Sustainability is a huge part of HOK’s values.
"Despite these challenges, there is optimism with rising planning standards addressing embodied carbon. Increased awareness of the circular economy and more pre-used product stockists, like carpet tiles and furniture, are helping. Even without detailed embodied carbon data, following best practices by using more reused, recycled, and recyclable content can instinctively reduce embodied carbon. The growing availability of bio-based products also supports low-carbon goals as we transition to a regulated market with more reliable data.”
Georgia Ingleton, design director, Sheila Bird
"One of the biggest challenges in reducing carbon? Living in a trend-driven world where everyone wants everything now and new— just like fast fashion. The problem is, quick fixes don’t last. Instead of fuelling the cycle of disposable interiors, lets continue to focus on making conscious, thoughtful decisions about the materials we use, as well as respecting reclaimed pieces and giving them a fresh story to tell.
"As designers, it’s on us to start these conversations early and challenge our clients to embrace their “why.” Eco-friendly materials and carbon reduction should be non-negotiable from day one — woven into the creative journey, not a last-minute “nice to have.” Longevity over trends, circularity over waste. That’s where real impact starts."
Jasper Sanders, founder, Jasper Sanders + Partners
"As designers, we’re all educated about a general low-carbon and sustainable approach to design, from sourcing locally-made materials to avoiding single-use plastics to the biggest plus of all – designing interiors that are well-loved and enduring.
"The biggest challenge, however, remains the incredible complexity of information around carbon reduction. Huge-scale agencies employ dedicated sustainability experts, but that’s simply not possible for an SME – and clients aren’t prepared to pay the cost of an external expert either. We need a simple tool that calculates and adds up every action, product or material to create accurate big-picture summaries. And we need it now!"
Sam Patterson, embodied carbon assessor, Atelier Ten
"Cost, Availability and Time. The business cost of staff time and the required processes to prove a viable new product, establish new supply chains, achieve certification and scale to meet customer expectations includes start-up costs that most mainstream products have already overcome and now benefit from efficiencies of scale. This does mean that emerging suppliers are typically unable to meet like-for-like costs and the low carbon options are seen as a premium product, but cost savings are possible when you work collaboratively to understand the full process and support companies that reduce their manufacturing emissions.
"The supply of low carbon materials does not always meet the demand, or anticipated demand, impacting availability and increasing risk. The divestment away from fossil fuel products means we are likely to see more bio-regional materials that rely on an annual harvest cycle or are part of a circular supply chain where the volume fluctuates more.
"Any departure from Business-As-Usual, will typically mean more time is required to learn and incorporate the improvements into the design. These changes need to be advocated and defended. Then you need the time and attention from the installers to upskill to deliver a new approach.
"Change is not easy, but preventative change is more manageable than reactionary change."
Izzy Eling, interior designer, Incognito
"One of the biggest challenges in reducing carbon is cost— while clients want to prioritise sustainability, budget constraints often make carbon-neutral materials unviable, although incentives such as tax breaks or government funding could help bridge this gap.
"Another key issue is accurately calculating embodied carbon. The lack of clear, trustworthy data makes informed decision-making difficult, especially within project timelines. Greater education and transparency are needed to ensure sustainability claims—like 'recycled content'—are genuinely contributing to carbon reduction rather than just ticking compliance boxes."
Ivor Phillips, director of architecture, Broadway Malyan
"Generally, we are finding that there can still be resistance from the industry to undertaking the requisite early studies to give an understanding about the embodied carbon of a project, particularly where there is a cost to do so, and incentives to pursue reduced carbon initiatives versus 'business as usual' are not proving attractive.
"It's not across the board though, and some clients and end users are thinking ahead of the curve, including one client in Birmingham where we have just submitted a planning application for the UK's tallest 'energy positive' building which will generate more electricity than it uses in day to day operation. This, coupled with re-use of brick from existing buildings on site are really helping the embodied carbon credentials, which is having a direct impact on the appeal of the project to investors and developers – which has got to be good news in the long run!"
Professor Iain Black, professor of sustainable consumption, University of Strathclyde
"The biggest challenge we face to reducing carbon is the crises gap: the gap between our current response to the sustainability crises and the way we need to act to solve them. We allow our oil addiction, maintained through Machiavellian manipulation, and remain indifferent to destroying the very basis of our economy because we don’t realise, don’t want to realise, or are not allowed to realise, the danger we are in. Nor do we tell the stories of the beautiful country we could design and build.
"When we do, we will unleash the money, legislative and market frameworks that will transform people’s lives. We will build and rebuild comfortable housing in inspiring beautiful communities with access to nature and social spaces hard wired in.
"We will eat well and remove the ill health caused by engineered food and live connected lives removing the misery of poor mental health from manufactured loneliness, fear and inadequacy. We have all the solutions we need, but humans being human and politicians being politicians it is only when we realise the danger we are in will we act."
Alison Haigh, associate, Buttress
"Many public commitments have been made to deliver and operate net zero carbon buildings by, or around 2030, without an agreed definition of what constitutes net zero. We believe the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (NZCBS) can provide the consistency, credibility and consensus to drive real progress.
"We are currently working on pilot projects that explore the use of innovative techniques and materials that can significantly lower carbon impact. However, we are finding that legislation or warranty provider obligations prevent us from specifying safe, natural, low-carbon materials. Government policy needs to adapt to allow us to be bolder in our innovation.
"Despite these challenges, it is an exciting moment for change – by working collaboratively with policymakers and industry leaders to shape future regulations."
Pippa Nissen, director of architects and exhibition designers, Nissen Richards Studio
"As exhibition designers, we work in a world where clients are mostly very sustainability-conscious. We offer a multi-pronged approach, combining ultra-durable, high-quality materials that last for decades with low-tech graphic printing innovations, using eg low tack surfaces or clear vinyls. Lighting and AV complete the picture by permitting dynamic transformations that highlight layers and character, but which can be changed with ease.
"Our final sustainable ambition – to create re-configurable parts for multiple shows – runs into one major problem: lack of storage. It sounds surprising, but it’s a hurdle we come across over and over again - and one which keeps institutions in the old demount-and-throw-away mindset."
What are the most promising tools/materials in helping reduce carbon (operational or embodied)?
Darren Clanford, co-founder & creative director, Material Source Studio
"We've championed biomaterial innovation since our inception - we truly believe this can contribute to a more positive built environment. Designers are utilising the properties of naturally abundant materials such as mycelium, seaweed, and corn husks to create amazing low embodied carbon products - the likes of which are exhibited in our Studios. We'll be unveiling a low carbon specific exhibition very soon. Then there's a wealth of recycled/recyclable solutions, which promote circular economy. And we also must recognise that products with longevity should play a part in this conversation.
"On the operational carbon side, we've spotted things like insulation made from surplus wool, which can lead to a reduction in heating costs. To get innovation such as this through to mass market, though, it will require investment, and a commitment from the whole supply chain. There are positive signs, but speed is of the essence."
Pallavi Dean, founder & CEO, Roar
"Energy-Efficient Lighting and Appliances: LED lighting, smart thermostats, and energy-efficient HVAC systems can drastically reduce energy consumption and operational carbon emissions in both office and residential spaces.
"Sustainable Flooring Materials: Materials such as bamboo, cork, and recycled rubber offer low-embodied carbon options for flooring. Additionally, carpet tiles made from recycled materials are both sustainable and practical for office spaces."
Dr Roddy Yarr, director of sustainability, University of Glasgow
"Direct wire power generation for our sites. The use of circular solutions that tap into (literally) existing energy resources. For instance, the recovery of large amounts of heat from the sewer system and using heat pump technology to enable a large scale and sustainable heat transition.
"There is also an exciting district energy transformation coming forward in Glasgow and Glasgow City region using the area’s natural and built environment resources and infrastructure. This will transform the city and region energy system for the benefit of people, businesses and organisations if we get it right."
Philip Macdonald, managing partner, Oberlanders
"The establishment of a UK Chapter of the ‘International Institute of Sustainable Laboratories' (I2SL) is helping to address the challenge of delivering energy efficient and environmentally friendly space for science here in the UK. I2SL is a member organisation focused on promoting the principles of sustainability in the design, implementation and operation of laboratories and facilities for science and research across the world.
"By bringing an established organisation into the UK market, we’re hitting the ground running in terms of the impact we’re able to make, particularly with their game changing Lab Benchmarking tool which is helping to identify and drive best practice. It’s a really exciting innovation in the movement towards NetZero in science."
If you had a magic wand, what would you do to help the built environment hit Net Zero?
Sarah de Freitas, creative director, AXI
“If I had a magic wand to help the built environment achieve Net Zero, I would implement the following:
"Ban all conventional building materials and replace with sustainable, low-carbon alternatives, such as recycled materials or biobased products, ensuring that all new construction follows circular economy principles.
“Implement carbon capture and storage systems in all buildings to directly reduce the carbon footprint associated with construction and operation.
“Transform urban landscapes by incorporating green roofs, living walls, and urban forests, which help sequester carbon, reduce urban heat, and enhance biodiversity.
“Promote education and engagement initiatives that empower communities to advocate for sustainable practices and policies within their own buildings and neighbourhoods.
“Integrate ecosystem restoration efforts into urban planning to enhance natural carbon sinks, improve air quality.”
Mariana Novosivschei, sustainable design lead, MLA
“I would use my magic wand to develop both the mindset and the infrastructure for true and systemic circularity in the built environment and beyond. This will reduce the demand for new materials, reduce waste, embodied carbon and embodied ecological impacts associated with raw material extraction.
"Achieving this would mean overcoming major challenges that now seem insurmountable such as developing and embedding a framework for building audits and safe and efficient methods for disassembly, processing, testing and re-certification of materials. It will require normalising the use of bio-based materials and expanding repair and refurbishment practices.
"Physical and digital infrastructures will have to be developed to support a network of storage facilities and accurate material databases. Crucially, it will unlock a level of deep collaboration necessary to develop the policy and financial models required to foster circularity and address all other barriers that stand in the way of a Net Zero built environment. The spell would probably be Oeconomia Circularis - Pro Reali!, but there might be other sub-spells to support it.”
David McGowan, director, Corstorphine & Wright
"One universal source of truth: cutting through the noise of endless certifications, programmes, technologies, acronyms, and metrics to drive real progress on Net Zero.
"As it stands, the built environment is drowning in complexity, with conflicting standards and shifting goalposts that make it difficult to drive impactful change. If we had a single, clear and globally recognised and science led framework, this would help remove ambiguity and align the collective efforts.
"From policymakers to developers, architects to engineers, everyone would be working towards the same measurable outcomes, ensuring efforts are not wasted in translation, but focused on delivering a genuinely sustainable future."
Andrew Bissell, partner ‑ lighting design, Ridge & Partners
"Doing more research and post occupancy analysis would be top of my lists of how to help the built environment achieve net zero. As an industry we know where we are lacking knowledge and data and engaging with universities is a way to fill that gap, but we are not doing it enough. Equally we need to go back to our completed buildings and interrogate the performance of materials or the operation of the spaces (with honesty and openness). Only then will we identify what worked, what didn’t, what can be easily fixed etc.
"With finances being so tight for everyone in the construction industry it is a tough call to make to decide to invest time in research or revisiting completed buildings. But what if there were clients who made it clear they wanted a design team who had evidenced the performance of their last 5 projects? Would that be enough to kick start something we all know we should be doing more of?"
Stephen Lewis, MD, HFD Property
“It’s important for the industry to share experiences – whether good or bad – through the likes of the BCO Awards, PR or initiatives like Material Source!! With that, we need to champion and encourage best practice, a good example of which was Bank of Scotland and HSBC providing green funding with targets for our 177 Bothwell Street development.
"Innovation is a big part of the process too and our roll out of Hybrid VRF air conditioning at Aurora in Glasgow showed what you can achieve when the market embraces a new approach. Inevitably there are associated challenges – particularly the often enhanced cost of sustainable products. But some great work at Solus recently showed how using reconstituted materials, for instance, can help. Finally, as a sector, we should commit to tackling greenwashing – there are too many cases of projects being talked up with little substance.”
Morag Dearsley, director, FORM Workplace Design Consultants
"If I had a magic wand I would eliminate waste in the built environment. There needs to be an urgent shift to the circular economy being the normal approach. Key to achieving this is respect, honesty and positivity.
"Respect for the fragility of our planet by placing value in materials and keeping them in circulation through collaboration. Honesty to end greenwashing which frankly just causes despair and disillusionment.
"Lastly, positivity by changing the rhetoric away from practices which damage the environment. It's all too easy to feel overwhelmed by the enormity of our climate crisis so my magic wand would create a positive spin to incentivise the circular economy as the default approach not the one you have to fight for."
Ashley Salmon, founder / creative director, Zero Gravity Design
"I’d make sustainability non-negotiable. If every building had to meet a net-zero standard, innovation would skyrocket, and economies of scale would drive costs down. I’d also push for more investment in retrofitting - new builds get all the attention, but the real carbon impact is in existing stock. At the same time, I’d make sure sustainability education was a core part of every designer and contractors' training - because we can’t build a greener future without the right skills in place."
Sarah Dodsworth, founding partner, Ekho Studio
"Voluntary efforts, supplier innovations and industry standards are all great and not to be discouraged in any way, but really the law needs to lead here with both national and international governments working together to avoid climate disaster."
Andrew Morris, senior architect, Jeffrey Bell Architects
"Never demolish! The built environment is one of the largest consumers of the global resources and is responsible for around 40% of global energy-related CO2 emissions. As an industry, and society, we have to change our consumption habits and the perception that ‘new is better’. How do we do this? By maximising the value of existing resources and assets through adaptive reuse.
"Additional incentives are required, such as legislative change to remove VAT on associated building works to existing buildings, and help clients and developers make these approaches more viable.
"The recent approval to demolish the inaugural Stirling Prize winning building here in Greater Manchester - the Centenary Building at the University of Salford; a building less than 30 years old and which has been vacant for a third of its built life; demonstrates the environmental implications of these decisions is still not fully appreciated.
"'The greenest building is the one that already exists.' - Carl Elefante"
Andreea Dragos, architect, Stride Treglown
"If I had a magic want, I’d make circular economy the basis of the construction industry. All buildings would be designed for disassembly and future adaptability from the start, with a thorough record of used materials and their reusability. Material passports would become mandatory, resulting in a rich database of reusable components at a national level.
"The magic would be creating accurate material passports for existing buildings, not just the new builds. Systematic deconstruction would replace demolition, and reclaimed materials would be at the forefront. This way we would tackle both embodied carbon and reduce the use of raw materials."
