Sustainability and climate resilience »

Achieving net zero carbon

The science has never been clearer, and as businesses and governments around the world pledge their commitment to net zero carbon, the call to act has never been more pressing. RPS is committed to reaching net zero carbon using science-based targets and we are ready to help you achieve it too.

Shape new advantage

Investor scrutiny has overtaken legislation as the primary driver. Organisations need to demonstrate a coherent Corporate Responsibility Strategy and robust environment, social, governance (ESG) reporting. Failure to do so risks non-compliance and threatens the confidence of investors, customers and workforce. Future-proofing requires a pathway towards net zero.

Meeting this challenge requires transformative change and taking a lead provides the opportunity to shape new advantage.

210 - Carbon Management Page Web Banners2.jpg

Supporting the path to net zero carbon

Your carbon footprint might be complex, but your journey to net zero doesn’t have to be.

With RPS, you will work in partnership with a trusted advisor – your carbon champion – to give you confidence at every stage

Status check, benchmark and goal setting

A climate strategy starts by understanding your current climate impact and identifying a baseline. Our experts will review or calculate your total greenhouse gas emissions, undertake a strategic review of your business and help you define your goals.

01 /04
Set company (science based) target, strategy and route plan

We will help you to set a science-based target and work with you to shape your tailored net zero route plan. Our team will support you develop and embed ambitious strategies and industry best-practice into your business.

02 /04
Implementation

Uniquely positioned to advise and deliver, your carbon champion will connect you with RPS’ in-house multi-disciplinary expertise. Our expert teams can consent, design and implement the solutions to deliver on your strategy.

03 /04
Progress evaluation and communication

We’ll track your progress, advise on strategy updates and help you to communicate your actions and results to internal and external stakeholders. This sets the benchmark for the next stage of your route plan.

04 /04

Why RPS

We’re proud to have ranked as no. 1 for climate change and energy consultancy in this year’s Environment Analyst UK market assessment for the UK’s Environmental Consulting sector.

We support clients at every step of their net zero journey; making complex easy with pragmatic advice for strategy and goal setting right through to practical and innovative design and development solutions to achieve them.

Founded on over 40 years advising on sustainability and environmental issues, we use our deep expertise to find solutions to problems that matter.

Corporate strategy, CSR and management

Sustainability encompasses more than just climate change. With multi-disciplinary expertise and a holistic approach, we inform, advise and support clients to align with key UN Sustainable Development Goals, global indices and reporting initiatives. Our teams are led by experts who understand commercial, political and environmental practicalities.

Corporate sustainability and ESG (including comms)
Science-based target development
Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) reporting
Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) reporting
Sustainable procurement
Environmental Management Systems (14001)
Environmental auditing
Carbon footprinting (annual corporate)
Independent carbon verification (ISO 14064-3)
Life cycle assessment
Scope 3 (supply chain carbon assessment)

Project strategy and evaluation - shutterstock_5902916390014.jpg

Development projects

The transformation to a net zero carbon society will require a shift in the way we plan, design and build the supporting infrastructure. Our team has extensive experience in sourcing and designing sustainable solutions and assessing energy usage. For both new and existing buildings, RPS can help your portfolio meet the net zero carbon target.

Strategic advice

Circular economy solutions
Materials and resource management
Sustainable transport solutions
Behavioural change
Green procurement
Liveable cities
Green infrastructure

Site selection & development project strategies

Assist to understand net zero carbon definition and define a suitable brief
Energy statements / strategies
Feasibility studies for Low and Zero Carbon (LZC) technologies
Forecasting operational energy and carbon emissions and setting achievable targets
Waste strategy
Transport strategy
Sustainability statements, appraisals and strategy
Biodiversity and natural capital advice

Building design standards

Energy calculations for building regulations compliance (SAP for residential and SBEM/BRUKL for commercial)
Thermal bridging calculations
Daylight / sunlight & overshadowing assessments (proposed and surrounding buildings)
BREEAM UK domestic / non-domestic (construction, refurbishment)
BREEAM international
BREEAM in-use
Home Quality Mark (UK)
Overheating / thermal comfort analysis
SKA assessment
WELL AP
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standard
Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) standard
Home Performance Index

Design and engineering

Low carbon design
Building Information Modelling (BIM)
Lighting design
Water harvesting and recycling
Energy infrastructure and provision / utilities strategy
Construction and fabrication strategies – offsite construction
Hydrology, flood risk and sustainable drainage

Construction

Off-site construction
Monitor construction to ensure that low energy systems are installed correctly and as designed
Assist with building services commissioning, end-user training and planned maintenance
CoCP / CEMP
CTMP
RMP

Operation

Display Energy Certificates (DEC)
Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)
ESOS audits / energy audits
Building Performance Evaluation (BPE) and identifying performance gaps
Monitoring in-use stage energy and carbon emissions and reporting on out of range usage
Measuring renewable energy generation on-site and comparing against forecasted generation