Our sustainability specialists are here to help, whether you need green building advice, corporate sustainability strategy, carbon strategy and offsetting, ESG, sustainable development or carbon certification. Regardless of your current stage in development, we are ready to tackle your sustainability challenges and help you make a positive difference and shape businesses into creating value through sustainability.
is a process of evaluating the environmental, social and economic impacts of a project, product or organization. It’s a way of measuring the sustainability and long-term viability of a project or organization, and it helps to identify areas where improvements can be made.
is a plan of action that outlines the steps an organization will take to reduce its environmental impact, improve its social performance, and promote economic growth in a sustainable way.
is an analysis of the natural light in a building or outdoor space. It is used to evaluate the quality, quantity and distribution of natural light in a space and how it impacts the energy consumption, visual comfort and overall well-being of the occupants.
is the study of the natural elements of a building or outdoor space, such as sunlight, wind, and temperature, in order to design a building that is naturally comfortable and energy efficient without the use of mechanical systems. It is a design approach that aims to reduce the need for active heating and cooling systems, and to make use of natural elements to provide a comfortable living environment.
refers to the amount of water that is used by an individual, organization, or community. It is typically measured in cubic meters and is used to assess the efficiency and sustainability of water use.
is the process of measuring and evaluating the levels of pollutants in the air. It is used to determine the quality of the air and to identify sources of pollution. Air quality assessment is important because poor air quality can have negative impacts on human health, the environment, and the economy.
is a process of evaluating the potential for flooding in a specific area and the potential impacts of a flood event. The goal of a flood risk assessment is to identify areas at risk of flooding, determine the potential impacts of a flood, and develop strategies to reduce the risk and mitigate the impacts.
services refer to the management and conservation of natural resources and ecosystems. This can include activities such as habitat restoration, invasive species management, conservation planning, and monitoring of biodiversity. The goal of ecology services is to maintain the health and functionality of ecosystems while also providing economic and social benefits to humans.
is the study to improve sound quality in buildings by measuring and controlling sound transmission, reverberation and background noise. Professional acousticians use simulations, measurements, and tests to design and evaluate buildings for good acoustics.
is the process of using computer software to simulate the performance of a building or system in terms of energy consumption. The simulation is based on inputs such as the building’s design, construction materials, and equipment. Energy models can be used for a variety of purposes such as predicting energy consumption, evaluating the energy efficiency of different design options, and identifying potential energy savings.
is the process of evaluating the potential for a specific site or region to generate electricity from renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, geothermal and biomass. Feasibility studies typically include a range of technical, economic, and environmental assessments to determine the potential for a given renewable energy project to be viable.
is a systematic examination of the energy consumption of a building or system, with the goal of identifying opportunities for energy efficiency improvements. The audit typically includes a detailed analysis of energy use, as well as a review of the building’s design, construction, and equipment. The purpose of an energy audit is to identify areas where energy is being wasted, and to recommend specific measures that can be taken to reduce energy consumption and costs.
is a non-destructive testing method using infrared imaging to detect thermal issues in structures by taking temperature measurements and analyzing the data to identify temperature anomalies.
are documents that provide information on the energy efficiency of a building. They are issued by accredited energy assessors and are typically required when a building is constructed, sold or rented. EPCs include an assessment of the building’s energy consumption and carbon emissions and provide recommendations for energy-saving improvements.
is an essential step in the project delivery process. Green building design acknowledges the significance of commissioning in ensuring that buildings perform as intended. Commissioning poses the greatest risk in terms of achieving energy performance goals, but if done correctly, it also offers the highest potential return on investment in terms of good energy performance during the building’s operation.
is a method of evaluating the total cost of a building or system over its entire life span. It takes into account not only the initial cost of construction or installation, but also the costs of operation, maintenance, and eventual replacement or decommissioning. The goal of LCC is to identify the most cost-effective option in the long term, rather than just the cheapest option initially.
is a method of evaluating the environmental impact of a product, process or service over its entire life cycle. It involves analyzing the environmental impacts of a product or service from the extraction of raw materials, through production, use, and disposal. The goal of LCA is to identify the environmental hotspots of a product or service and to identify opportunities for improvement.
is a method of evaluating the carbon footprint of a product, process or service over its entire life cycle. It includes all the greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) associated with the product or service from the extraction of raw materials, through production, use, and disposal or end-of-life treatment. The goal of WLCC is to identify the carbon emissions hotspots of a product or service and to identify opportunities for improvement.
is a method of measuring the total amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the production of a product, service or structure. It focuses on the carbon emissions that occur during the production phase, including the extraction, processing, and transportation of materials, as well as the manufacturing and assembly of the product or structure. The goal of embodied carbon calculation is to identify the carbon emissions hotspots and to identify opportunities for reduction.
refers to the ability of a building or space to be easily modified or reconfigured to meet changing needs over time. It is an important aspect of sustainable building design, as it allows buildings to adapt to changing uses, occupancies, and technologies, and to extend their useful life.
refers to the process of designing buildings, products, and systems to withstand the effects of time, use, and environmental factors, in order to extend their useful life. This approach aims to ensure that the building or product will continue to function as intended, with minimal maintenance and repairs, over its entire life cycle.
refer to actions taken to reduce the negative impacts of climate change on human and natural systems. These strategies aim to increase the resilience of communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems to the effects of climate change, such as sea-level rise, increased frequency of severe weather events, and changes in temperature and precipitation.
is a diagnostic tool used to measure the airtightness of a building. The test involves sealing all doors and windows in the building and then using a powerful fan to depressurize or pressurize the building. By measuring the amount of air that needs to be added or removed to maintain a certain pressure difference, the blower door test can determine how much air is leaking into or out of the building.
is an analysis of natural light in a building/space to optimize its use in reducing the need for artificial lighting, evaluating the impact of factors such as shading devices, window size, placement, and building orientation.
evaluates a building’s energy efficiency by assessing its potential for passive design strategies, including building orientation, insulation, ventilation, shading, thermal mass, and renewable energy systems.
refers to a perceived comfortable indoor environment, including temperature, humidity, air movement and radiation, aimed at avoiding discomfort or stress to building occupants.
is the loss or gain of heat in building envelopes due to more efficient heat conduction in certain areas, such as corners, edges, and penetrations like window frames and balconies.
is a branch of fluid mechanics that uses numerical methods and computer software to predict fluid flow behavior in various applications like aerospace, automotive, environmental and biomedical engineering.
is a process of using open windows, vents, or other openings to circulate fresh air and improve indoor air quality, reducing the need for mechanical systems. It can be passive or active and the effectiveness is affected by the building’s design and architecture.
is the process of assessing the performance of a building after it has been occupied and used by its intended users. The evaluation typically includes a combination of objective data, such as energy consumption and indoor environmental quality, as well as subjective data, such as user satisfaction and comfort. POE can be used to identify areas where the building is performing well, as well as areas where improvements can be made.
is the process of identifying and correcting building systems that are not performing as intended. It typically includes a thorough assessment of the building’s mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems to identify issues such as equipment malfunctions, control system problems, and energy inefficiencies. Once issues are identified, corrective actions are taken to improve the building’s performance, such as repairing or replacing equipment, optimizing control systems, and implementing energy conservation measures.
We have a wealth of experience working as main building contractors on all kinds of projects, big and small, from home maintenance and improvements to extensions, refurbishments and new builds.
