
Planning for cleaner air: Is England on track to meet PM2.5 targets?
19 June 2025 | 7 min read
Sustainability
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Sustainability
Multiple Authors
Jessica Grady outlines what developers, contractors and operators should consider when approaching firewater management for Battery Energy Storage Systems.
Sustainability
Infrastructure
Energy transition
Jessica Grady
Sustainability
Mike E Barker
A guide on applying big energy transition lessons to the water sector – both vital resources that support our economy, environment, and way of life.
Water
Sustainability
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Nick Pelham
RPS ecologists ensure wind farms and battery projects are sustainable, balancing large-scale development with conservation as Australia’s renewable energy demand grows.
Sustainability
Energy transition
Ahead of our upcoming webinar ‘Many rivers to cross’, Our hydrology expert, Bryn Kearsey, provides an overview of what you need to know about developments with or near watercourses.
Sustainability
Urbanisation
Bryn Kearsey
Sustainability
Urbanisation
Sustainability
Sustainability
Sustainability
Sustainability
Water
In this episode of The Building Sustainably Podcast, Chris Patmore and Jonathan Morley, Technical Directors at RPS, join Emily McGee to unpack the flood risk sequential test.
Sustainability
Water
In this episode of The Building Sustainably Podcast, host Emily McGee speaks with John Clayton, Senior Director at RPS, and Rachel Thompson, Sustainability Coordinator at RPS, to explore the role of whole life cycle carbon assessments (WLCAs) in reducing the carbon footprint of industrial buildings.
Sustainability
Infrastructure
With new regulations under the OEI Act on the horizon, every license holder will need an approved management plan in place to commence floating LiDAR and geotechnical campaigns.
Energy transition
Sustainability
Multiple Authors
In this episode of The Building Sustainably Podcast, Conall Boland, Senior Sustainability Consultant at RPS Republic of Ireland, joins James Bowman to dive into the transformative role of green concrete in reducing the carbon footprint of the construction industry.
Sustainability
Infrastructure
RPS Marine Science Practice Lead, Peter Crockett discusses the opportunities for marine environmental benefits that Australia's offshore wind industry could provide - for benthic species in particular.
Energy transition
Sustainability
Peter Crockett
Learn how Marine Net Gain and the drive for marine biodiversity will affect offshore wind development, starting at the leasing and design stages.
Sustainability
Multiple Authors
Predictive modelling could help authorities dispose of whale remains safely and sustainably offshore. But is it possible to predict where a deceased whale will drift, and keep it away from beaches and people? RPS has done the modelling, and the answer is yes.
Sustainability
Multiple Authors
RPS' Director Energy Operations, Roger Edgecombe's career has led him to some of the world's most secluded and enchanting places.
Energy transition
Sustainability
RPS’ Executive Director – MetOcean Science and Technology, Murray Burling found his lifelong passion for coastal engineering and oceanography during his childhood summers.
Energy transition
Sustainability
As we edge closer to a clean energy reality, managing impacts to seabirds is going to be a key factor in environmental approval of offshore wind projects.
Sustainability
Energy transition
Integrating sustainability into projects is embedded within our approach. Collaborating with our clients we aim to find solutions that reduce your environmental impact - less energy, less waste, better connectivity - and in this way achieve greater efficiency.
Sustainability
Infrastructure
Conall Boland
Five years after launching custom-designed Australian-made floating LiDAR, RPS becomes the fifth company in the world to receive the highly sought after stage 3 accreditation by the Carbon Trust.
Sustainability
Energy transition
Resilient airfield pavements are essential to airport operations. Here, our Aviation Director, Geoff Dewick, shares lessons learnt for their design and construction.
Sustainability
Infrastructure
Geoff Dewick
RPS Economist, Kapil Kulkarni on how eco modulated finance mechanisms could help Australia turn the tide on packaging waste.
Sustainability
Kapil Kulkarni
Meet Gianni Bawn, a Senior Building Physics Engineer who recently joined our Building Performance team.
Sustainability
With an increase in demand and funding for hydrogen projects, is now the time to consider embarking on a project to capitalise on the opportunity? We explain more about the hydrogen economy and why hydrogen projects are becoming more viable than ever.
Sustainability
The logistics industry struggles to deliver space, with occupiers under ongoing pressure. By careful consideration, could multi-storey warehouses solve this?
Sustainability
Urbanisation
Multiple Authors
Sustainability
Jinho Looi
Jaspreet Singh discusses the impact of last year’s British Energy Security Strategy on FES 2023, which has been much anticipated.
Sustainability
Energy transition
Jaspreet Singh
RPS' Principal Scientist Mike Mackie on why pelagic fish surveys should be included in environmental impact assessments for offshore wind farm developments.
Sustainability
Energy transition
Mike Mackie
Our solar experts explore the exciting solar projects happening across the globe, and an insight into what the future of solar power may hold.
Sustainability
Urbanisation
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Multiple Authors
Dr. Roddy Yarr, Executive Lead of Sustainability at the University of Strathclyde, joins us to share how he is developing and delivering net-zero initiatives.
Sustainability
Kathryn Barker sets out what an Air Quality Positive Statement is, and how developers can ensure their developments are Air Quality Positive.
Sustainability
Urbanisation
Kathryn Barker
The circular economy is a complex equation; getting it right means achieving a balance between supply and demand.
Sustainability
Kapil Kulkarni
Chris is joined by Simon Bourke, Building Services UK and Healthcare Lead at RPS to discuss the challenges of retrofitting an existing hospital, and how to balance operational disruption with carbon reduction.
Sustainability
Maggie Bosanquet, Low Carbon Economic Development Team Leader at Durham County Council, joins Chris Lavery to discuss the council's sustainability strategy and climate change initiatives.
Sustainability
Sustainability
In this episode we welcome our Senior Project Manager, Liz Brown to talk with Chris Lavery about the sympathetic redevelopment and retrofit of Béton House, Park Hill, in Sheffield.
Sustainability
The science-based targets initiative (SBTi) is designed to help companies reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, demonstrate their commitment to creating a climate-secure world, and drive successful business operations. But if the UK is to align to a 1.5 °C trajectory, intervention is needed.
Sustainability
Andrew Tasker
Phil joins our host Chris Lavery to discuss how sustainable development can be achieved by building more simply, more efficiently, and more thoughtfully.
Sustainability
With the Asia Pacific offshore wind industry in its infancy, it's important to look at the lessons of other more mature markets, like the UK.
Energy transition
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Tamara Al-Hashimi
How do you create a decarbonisation culture across your organisation? We asked Jon Daley the questions on the RPS podcast Building sustainably: the road to net zero
Sustainability
With increasing concerns about power blackouts over the coming winter, our data centres must be designed and built for resilience, efficiency and security.
Sustainability
Kathryn Barker
Jonas Hamann, Head of Business Development at Danfoss, joins Chris Lavery to discuss how heat networks can deliver an innovative, reliable, and green heating solution for buildings.
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Sustainability
Following consultation, ESOS is changing and this impacts businesses wishing to comply. Here we outline the changes being made to phases 3, 4 and 5.
Sustainability
Erieta Dimitriou
Biniam Micael Sbhatu explores the challenges and solutions around achieving net zero carbon emissions affordably in data centre developments.
Sustainability
Climate change is the greatest threat to our planet, and to overcome it will require thousands of small changes that add up to make a combined solution.
Sustainability
Steve Hall
Nature-based solutions (NbS) deliver affordable and scalable action in the fight against climate change. Here four specialists discuss the barriers and enablers to NbS.
Sustainability
Multiple Authors
Heat pumps are expected to be a better, low carbon option to heating homes, so should you be considering them when installing new heat systems?
Sustainability
Energy transition
When it comes to the story of carbon accounting, Scope 3 is the silent character.
Sustainability
Multiple Authors
As concerns over energy prices and security of supply escalate, many organisations and individuals are exploring renewables as a solution. Here, we share eight key points to consider when embarking on a solar project.
Energy transition
Sustainability
Multiple Authors
As part of the World Green Building Council's (WGBC) global project, Advancing Net Zero, it states all new buildings must operate at net zero carbon from 2030. With the countdown on, developers are looking to their project teams to help them reach this important target.
Sustainability
Watch our spotlight series of short videos to learn more about nature-based solutions.
Sustainability
Opinion: the renewable energy supply chain should be a priority on the world agenda, to ensure future development can accelerate.
Energy transition
Sustainability
Infrastructure
Natural capital and carbon credits explained how to determine the carbon sequestration potential of your site, natural capital benefits, flood risk reductions, nutrient improvements and BNG.
Sustainability
Mike E Barker
As new Building Regulations and uplifts to Part L and F come into force in England we look at Approved Document O and what developers can do to comply with these latest requirements.
Sustainability
Energy transition
The new London Plan will play a huge role in the city's success and prosperity. We explore its challenges and opportunities.
Sustainability
Infrastructure
Andy Clifton, RPS Managing Director – Environment, discusses the impact of the British energy security strategy, and its long-term approach to the UK's energy supply landscape.
Sustainability
Energy transition
Andy Clifton
In March 2022, we co-hosted over 300 industrial and logistics sector professionals at this year's ShedMasters event in Barcelona.
Following excellent feedback from attendees, Senior Directors, Tony Pinchess and Kester Purslow discuss their key takeaways from the one-day event and the emerging industry trends that look set to shape the future of logistics for the years to come.
Infrastructure
Sustainability
Kester Purslow
By law, developers now need to legally deliver 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) on all sites and projects in England and maintain this for at least 30 years. Moving from a position of no net loss to providing net gain is crucial in tackling biodiversity loss and climate change.
Sustainability
Hannah Knight
The London Plan 2021 Spatial Development Strategy for Greater London, published in March 2021, strives to improve air quality in the capital by introducing a new requirement for larger developments to be Air Quality Positive. Air Quality specialists Fiona Prismall and Kathryn Barker explain how air quality guidance has changed with the emergence of Air Quality Positive statements and the likely implications for developers.
Sustainability
Urbanisation
Kathryn Barker
A breakdown of the updated IEMA guidance that gives much-needed clarity to developers looking to determine the effects of their project on climate.
Sustainability
Andrew Tasker
An interview with Stephanie Milne from the RPS marine life mitigation (Protected Species Observer) service.
Sustainability
Energy transition
Katie is a Senior Environmental Project Manager with our marine life mitigation (PSO) service. In this interview, she tells us about her fascinating career path.
Sustainability
Energy transition
Meet Tessa McGarry, an RPS technical lead in marine ecology, primarily focussed on marine mammals.
Sustainability
Energy transition
Technical Director Nicola Simpson from the RPS marine consenting environment team discusses her marine ecology career for International Women’s Day.
Sustainability
Energy transition
Ruth De Silva is an Associate Director within the RPS Energy segment, where she oversees the Scottish consenting team. Meet her in this interview from International Women's Day 2022.
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Energy transition
Many sites face development risks associated with minerals; whether the presence of safeguarded mineral infrastructure necessitates design changes, or prior mineral extraction is delaying works. Protected minerals are a material consideration under UK planning policy and the earlier they are addressed, the better.
Sustainability
Urbanisation
Dr. Adrian Green
Policy change is on the horizon for the non-domestic private rented sector (PRS) in the UK. Moving past EPC and MEES, the Government is expected to announce a new policy that focuses on performance-based ratings, accounting for operational energy when determining building energy efficiency. Considering the potential impact for landlords and investors, Erieta Dimitriou explains all.
Sustainability
Erieta Dimitriou
Adding pressure to an existing national housing shortage, Covid has shifted the priorities we have for our homes; with easy access to green space and comfortable working from home facilities now sitting far higher on the wish list. The result? Huge strain on the UK rental market. Could suburban Build to Rent homes be the answer?
Sustainability
With the Levelling Up whitepaper still yet to be published, does the lack of detail on London’s specific role imply it won't be part of the Levelling Up Agenda? Or even that London will be ‘Levelled Down’? We take a look at what we know so far.
Sustainability
Let's take a deep dive and try and understand geothermal energy challenges and what's holding us back from tapping into this abundant source.
Energy transition
Sustainability
Under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), new data centres in the UK require a greenhouse gas (GHG) permit. But who, when and how do you need to apply?
Sustainability
Jennifer Stringer
Bird studies and ecology are vital parts of offshore wind development. A new study shows us more about how birds really behave around wind farms.
Sustainability
Energy transition
Martin Scott
We discuss the steps social housing providers can take to identify the optimum, most cost-effective approach to meet net zero carbon targets.
Sustainability
For distribution and logistics warehouses, space is at a premium. But with Biodiversity Net Gain legislation expected to pass imminently, the pressure is on.
Sustainability
Hannah Knight
Dr Hugh Cushnan & Francis Mackin discuss how ongoing efforts to restore Irish peatlands aim to go above and beyond achieving net zero carbon.
Sustainability
Multiple Authors
Chris Lavery, Director of Programme Management, discusses the barriers Housing Associations are facing and his recommendations for tackling the decarbonisation challenge ahead.
Sustainability
Work to any existing building or structure can be complex. We explain how a robust project management strategy helps clients navigate through the challenges.
Sustainability
How a retentionist strategy and a test and experiment approach helped save roughly 1.2 tonnes of embodied carbon on the development of Béton House.
Sustainability
One of the questions at the top of the built environment sustainability agenda is should we retrofit, or should we build new? Andrew Tasker discusses how choose the right route for your project.
Sustainability
Andrew Tasker
Nature is declining globally at unprecedented rates. But the Government’s plans to tackle biodiversity loss and climate change is a crucial step forward.
Sustainability
Mike Barker
Our Environmental Permitting team have played a vital role in bringing the UK's largest CCU project to life, helping to shape the future technology.
Sustainability
Jennifer Stringer
The aviation sector is committed and actively working to develop innovations that will catapult itself toward a low-carbon future. But what role can hydrogen play in achieving this target and what is its impact on airport infrastructure?
Sustainability
Geoff Dewick
The need for mobility planning and workplace mobility plans is now at an all time high. In this article Ronan Grealy discusses why and how we should implement these plans to ensure a sustainable future.
Sustainability
Ronan Grealy
Water is vital in terms of sustainable development. In this article, we discuss how we can manage our water resources to ensure a sustainable future.
Sustainability
Water
Multiple Authors
Today more than ever the need to implement a circular economic model is vital. In this article we discuss the benefits of a sustainable circular economy.
Sustainability
Conall Boland
In this article we ask what structural engineering practice will look like in 10–15 years’ time and how the professional community can help with preparations.
Sustainability
Infrastructure
Michael Minehane
Digital design is at the heart of the construction industry today. In this exclusive webinar hosted with RPS, BRE discuss the Level 2 BIM Certification and how these international standards aid collaboration.
Sustainability
Mark Costello
Joe Ellis takes a look at the three pillars of the Government’s White Paper ‘Planning for the future’ and discusses the impact for transport.
Sustainability
Infrastructure
Joe Ellis
What vision set out in the recently published White Paper 'Planning for the Future'; and what will need to be delivered to achieve it?
Sustainability
We explain the often over-looked risk of indoor air pollutants and why we may see a shift in the influence this has on planning decisions in the future.
Sustainability
Urbanisation
Kathryn Barker
We explore some of the challenges businesses face as they strive to achieve net zero carbon and how they can set up for success by getting the right strategy in place.
Sustainability
The Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) guidance – currently one of many voluntary approaches for corporate disclosure of climate impacts and risks – looks set to become the standard for all UK listed companies by 2022.
Sustainability
Tanya Lloyd Jones
Sustainability
Simon Bourke
Sustainability
Water
Sustainability
Urbanisation
Sustainability
Energy transition
Sustainability
Energy transition
The project is Ireland's first dedicated national water laboratory for comprehensive water analysis, featuring state-of-the-art equipment for both microbiological and chemical testing. The flags...
RPS and GX Outdoors redefine public shelters with a modular, durable design inspired by the iconic pandanus tree, blending innovation with striking aesthetics.
RPS’ Dr Christine Lamont, heads to icy Antarctica, joining the prestigious Homeward Bound project, a global leadership initiative for women in STEMM.
The Wind Energy Trade Show was held in the RDS, Dublin on the 6th and 7th November, bringing together key players in the global renewable energy supply chain with Irish leaders, businesses and i...
RPS’ Antonia Gaughran was also shortlisted in the Science category of the awards, which...
Taranaki Offshore Partnership commissions RPS to lead New Zealand’s first marine baseline study for offshore wind development.
Last week, we hosted a Breakfast Briefing event to inform our key clients about the new green procu...
Back for season 2, our podcast series re-launches next week. Here’s what you can expect.
The RPS Landscape Architecture team takes home two prestigious awards at the 2024 Queensland Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) Awards.
The Australian Federal Government is taking significant strides towards promoting sustainable development with the introduction of Stage 2 of its Nature Positive Laws.
We break down three elements of the proposed policy: transparency, data-based decision making, and community engagement.
We were delighted to take home the Net Zero Award at this year’s Highways UK Excellence Awards for our project, the Glasgow Airport Investment Area (GAIA).
The event combined Ireland’s growing domestic supply chain, the key players in the global wind energy industry and cutting-edge research from both Ireland and internationally.
Two climate change specialists from RPS, Tom Dearing and Andrew Tasker, are among the co-authors of the updated Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA) Guide.
RPS is proud to be supporting the Aberdeen ornithology research project sponsored by Vattenfall to better inform the consenting process for the offshore wind industry.
RPS Lidar 4.5 buoy type qualifies to collect bankable wind resource data for clients wishing to develop offshore wind farms.