Carbon Consultancy
We understand the challenge that climate change presents, and recognise our responsibility as designers and engineers to reduce carbon emissions on projects. Our innovative yet straightforward approach to carbon consultancy has seen us recognised as international experts and leaders in civil engineering.
We apply our environmental and carbon management expertise to projects, organisations, local authorities and cities to help clients reduce carbon as efficiently as possible and plan for a net zero carbon future – and have undertaken research into the carbon cost tipping point.
Operating at the heart of the Green Transition, our carbon experts are trusted advisors to some of Europe’s most ambitious large-scale industrial projects within decarbonisation – including wind & solar energy, hydrogen, energy storage, battery technology, CCS and industrial circularity.
In the energy transition, Sweco’s experts are involved in the expansion of renewable energy and the adaptation of power systems and electricity grids to meet new capacity requirements as electrification intensifies.
The transportation transition involves a shift from fossil-fuelled transport to electricity, expanded public transport and a focus on modernising infrastructure – particularly for ‘walking and wheeling’.
In the industrial transition, Sweco is providing solutions to reduce existing industries’ carbon emissions and establish new industries with a focus on energy, raw materials and circular business models.
And the urban transition involves building more sustainable, resilient cities and public realm urban areas.
Our core carbon expertise
Strategic carbon management and implementation planning
A sound carbon management programme is founded on a wide range of inputs, from senior management buy-in and associated behavioural changes to innovative renewable energy solutions. Sweco are able to devise bespoke and pragmatic strategies for clients
Services include:
- Practical recommendations for achieving carbon reduction goals
- Feasibility screening of all potential carbon reduction measures
- Creating best in class carbon management plans
- Creating carbon KPIs for projects to achieve
- Measuring and monitoring carbon at each stage of a project and working with the design team to reduce carbon
PAS 2080:2030 carbon management
Following the review in 2023, a new focus is being applied to managing whole life carbon in built environment and infrastructure projects. Sweco are committed to implementing PAS 2080 throughout relevant projects to allow for maximum carbon and cost reduction.
Services include:
- Developing bespoke toolkits to integrate operational and capital carbon reduction into design
- Incorporating carbon reduction criteria into the procurement process
- Promoting supply chain connectivity
Net zero pathway and verification support
Corporate management of environmental impacts is coming under heightened public scrutiny, and the legislative trend of an increased requirement to report emissions is already being coupled with associated carbon taxation. Where carbon reduction or neutrality is a long-term goal, we go beyond verification and work closely with our clients to provide bespoke and strategic assistance.
Services include:
Strategising:
- Gap analysis and determination of carbon baseline, boundary and scope
- Identification and advice on carbon and cost reduction actions, including prioritisation
- Science-based target setting and pathway to net zero
Disclosure and Regulatory Requirements:
- Independent verification of carbon footprints to GHG/ISO standards in accordance with BS EN ISO 14064-3:2019
- Streamlined energy and carbon reporting
Net zero cities consultancy
Half of the world’s population – and three quarters of Europeans – live in cities. Developing urban spaces more resiliently and sustainably therefore has an enormous, positive impact on society as a whole, but also provides
a huge area of opportunity for global-scale progress when it comes to chasing net zero goals in particular.
Services include:
- Net zero pathways, including carbon baselining, prioritised target setting, science-based targets and pathway to net zero
- Placemaking
- Nature-based solutions
- Carbon assessment demonstrating carbon benefits
- Peat management plans integrated with geotechnical assessments
- Environmental statement chapters
Workplace training
Engineering solutions to manage carbon are important but cannot be applied in isolation; human behaviour is key to the effectiveness of many technical projects and essential to the success of most carbon reduction campaigns.
Workshops include:
- Increase staff commitment to sustainability and promote carbon literacy
- Focus on action plans to ensure that reductions are achieved Provide a flexible approach tailored to each client’s need
Prioritising PAS 2080:203 as the route to low carbon infrastructure
The infrastructure sector is responsible for over 53% of carbon emissions in the UK. Sweco has award-winning expertise in applying PAS 2080, the world’s first specification for infrastructure carbon management.
Developed in response to the UK Government’s Infrastructure Carbon Review, PAS 2080 provides a framework for minimising whole life carbon across a project’s supply chain.
Our team of specialists supports infrastructure projects through establishing carbon baselines, setting targets for carbon reduction and reporting performance throughout project delivery. Our implementation of the PAS 2080 methodology ensures that focus on carbon is maintained from inception to completion.
By working with design teams and identifying carbon ‘hotspots’ to prioritise, we enable innovative design in key areas to ensure a proportionate, cost-effective focus on carbon reduction.
Carbon cost consultancy
Sweco has a detailed understanding of the relationship between carbon and cost. We use this knowledge to help our clients identify the most valuable carbon reduction options.
The built environment accounts for a significant proportion of global carbon emissions and therefore requires urgent action to mitigate climate change. As a proxy for energy, natural resources and quantities of materials, carbon provides an important perspective for design optimisation.
While efficient design can reduce carbon and cost to a certain point, alternative low carbon materials often cost more than traditional fossil fuel-based options. At Sweco, we help our clients to select the most efficient and cost-effective carbon reduction options.
From early concept stage through to construction, we integrate industry-leading carbon management principles within design and procurement processes to go beyond carbon accounting and provide practical carbon/cost consultancy.
Carbon reduction is most effective when it stems from a robust strategy that is fully supported by senior management. Our clients trust us to share our expertise at the highest organisational level to enable them to demonstrate low carbon leadership.
Carbon footprint verification
Whether for mandatory reporting requirements or voluntary carbon footprinting, Sweco provides third-party verification for our clients’ Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventories.
Carried out in accordance with BS EN ISO 14064-3:2019, our external verification provides our clients and their stakeholders with the confidence in reporting GHG emissions data.
Where carbon reduction or neutrality is a long-term goal, we go beyond verification and work closely with our clients to provide bespoke and strategic carbon management assistance. Once an organisation’s carbon footprint is understood, efforts can be focused on the most high-potential and cost-effective opportunities for carbon reduction.
Carbon reduction training
Our carbon management specialists can provide low carbon training to stakeholders at all levels.
We work closely with our clients to ensure our training is tailored to their organisation, projects and goals. We offer inspirational and meaningful insights on environmental best practice, development of strategic objectives and targets for carbon reduction.
Our sustainability leadership seminars and carbon/cost workshops have proven to be central in helping our clients future-proof their projects and steer their organisations towards a net-zero carbon future. Our practical advice not only enables cost-efficient carbon reduction, it also helps our clients to clearly demonstrate their progress towards genuine sustainability.
EIA climate assessment
We expertly assess and minimise the impact of our projects on the global climate, while ensuring their resilience to projected climate change.
The European Union Directive 2014/52/EU, requires climate change to be addressed within the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.
Through our proactive implementation of directive requirements and contributions to associated industry guidance, Sweco continue to be at the forefront of this field. We address climate change mitigation and adaptation at the earliest stages of a project, which enables potentially significant effects to be mitigated.
From large-scale transportation schemes to energy from waste facilities, our award-winning team has leading experience in conducting Environmental Impact Assessments for a broad range of projects.
