In June, stakeholders from industries including real estate, construction, manufacturing and the public sector took the opportunity to share their views on the path to Net Zero Carbon (NZC) by responding to a BRE survey. It revealed many areas of common ground and an ambition for higher and faster standards. Key discoveries include:

Accelerating change:

The survey results highlighted a shared ambition to quicken the pace of change towards NZC. 88% of respondents voiced a desire for stricter carbon budgets, while 87% advocated for increased minimum asset performance standards. This demonstrates our collective determination to make real progress in tackling climate change.

Measuring embodied carbon progress:

Awareness of embodied carbon is widespread, with 95% of respondents indicating familiarity with the term.  Over half of participants are already required to perform LCAs and a sizeable 57.72% actively use embodied carbon benchmarks. This shows that industry best practices are aligning and there is increasingly a proactive approach to sustainability across sectors.

The survey also sheds light on the drivers behind the adoption of LCAs, ranging from national legislation (23.33%) to corporate policy (45%). The survey revealed the varied factors influencing LCAs, as all six identified drivers received a response rate of at least 20%.

Looking ahead, the majority of respondents (60.16%) are ready to adopt NZC benchmarks by 2024, with 90.25% anticipating coverage of scope 3 within the next five years.

Offsite carbon, verified carbon and offset carbon:

Recognition of offsite renewables is high at 93%, with 65% acknowledging green tariffs as credible carbon reduction methods. Notably, opinions on offsets vary, with 51.24% seeing them as having either no (22.31%) or low (28.93%) value. This perspective suggests a need for continued dialogue on the role of offsets in achieving NZC goals.

Organisational actions towards NZC:

Survey participants outlined the actions their organisations are taking toward NZC. From setting targets (72.66%) and implementing best practices (64.03%) to actively engaging with NZC initiatives/programs (46.04%), the industry is showing multifaceted commitment to driving change.

Standardisation and certification:

The increasing consistency observed among respondents strengthens the case for net zero carbon. An impressive 86% expressed interest in NZC certification, pointing to a growing consensus on the importance of standardised approaches in the industry.

The NZC survey results provide a snapshot of our industry’s current position and future trajectory. With a growing consensus on the direction of NZC and many actions being taken by the majority of organisations, these results offer decision-makers an evidence base to inform strategic and operational choices.

Find out how to accelerate your organisation’s journey to net zero carbon.