Responding to the fact that the built environment is responsible for most UK carbon emissions, PAS 2080 is the world’s first specification for decarbonizing buildings and infrastructure systems.

PAS 2080:2016 was designed to help infrastructure organizations reduce their carbon use and costs throughout the entire lifecycle of an asset. It became the world’s first standard for managing infrastructure carbon in 2016. 

Seven years on sees the publication of PAS 2080:2023 Carbon management in buildings and infrastructure. Its guidance was revised to set out how the sector can transition to net zero by 2050 by managing and reducing whole life carbon in buildings and infrastructure.

PAS 2080:2023 specifies requirements for the management of whole life carbon in buildings and infrastructure, covering the provision, operation, use and end of life of new projects or programmes of work, as well as the management or retrofit of existing assets and networks.

It helps organizations to understand the impact of its assets on the wider network; revealing its interdependencies and encouraging early collaboration; defining roles and responsibilities and integrating carbon-focussed decision making and procurement processes throughout the assets’ lifecycle.

Using the document facilitates behavioural change within the built environment. PAS 2080 unites all organizations through a common framework that will help companies maximize their whole life approach to carbon reduction from the earliest origins of the projects through its end of life.

PAS 2080:2023 has been sponsored by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Green Construction Board (GCB), enabling the standard to be offered free of charge.

What’s changed in the revised PAS 2080:2023?

This 2023 revision has introduced some important changes to PAS 2080, which all current and potential users need to know about. 

These include: 

• An expanded scope to include all buildings as well as infrastructure

• An increased emphasis on whole life carbon in line with 1.5°C and circular economy principles

• Clarification of the roles that control and influence whole life carbon 

• New consideration of other demands and benefits such as climate adaptation and biodiversity

• A new emphasis on leadership, governance and collaboration 

• New guidance for government, regulators and financiers

Download your free copy of PAS 2080:2023 today.

Empowering urgent early collaboration

Like its predecessor, PAS 2080:2023 is straightforward. 

It covers setting appropriate carbon reduction targets; establishing metrics, e.g. KPIs, for carbon emissions quantification and reporting; reporting at appropriate stages to enable performance visibility; and continual improvement of carbon management and performance. 

A key component is that the standard encourages collaboration between organizations. It shows organizations how to work together to integrate carbon reduction into decision making and procurement from the earliest origins of projects through to end of life. When all parties are using a common framework, it can lead to stronger data sharing, cooperation and complementary and aligned processes.

This collaborative approach incorporates the whole value chain, establishing the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders to ensure the maintenance of low carbon focus throughout the projects. Product suppliers, contractors, designers and asset owners can all participate and share their results.

On a more pragmatic level, adopting PAS 2080:2023 encourages organizations to take urgent climate action to support the UK’s Net Zero targets. It does this by specifying to users how to reduce their carbon, whilst considering the co-benefits of implementing climate resilient processes and nature-based solutions. 

What are the benefits of PAS 2080:2023?

By following the PAS 2080:2023 approach, value chain members across the built environment can work collaboratively towards the common goal of net zero carbon transition and achieve the following outcomes:

• It helps users realize reductions in material, energy and labour costs that reduce whole-life carbon emissions, as well as whole-life capital and operational costs

• It helps encourage wider uptake and action on carbon management

• It ensures carbon is consistently and transparently quantified at key points so data can be shared along the supply chain, processes can be aligned and cooperation and collaboration can increase efficiency and reduce costs

• It helps demonstrate your commitment to carbon reduction, enhancing reputation, supporting staff recruitment and retention, and giving stakeholders clarity and certainty about what’s being achieved

• It can help you gain a competitive edge when bidding for tenders

• It promotes innovations that achieve lower carbon solutions

• It can help users develop their expertise with carbon management

• It can help users increase confidence and trust in their practice 

• It can help organizations grow sustainably

A look at PAS 2080 in industry

Since its launch in 2016, PAS 2080 has been a vital document, bringing carbon-reduction benefits to many businesses within the built environment. But don’t just take our word for it. 

Anglian Water achieved a 61% reduction in capital carbon and a 22% reduction in capital expenditure by following the methodologies of the PAS 2080. It also helped them become the first company to issue a sterling green bond.

David Riley, Head of Carbon Neutrality at Anglian Water said of the standard “the real power of PAS 2080 is not just that it’s a common framework, but also product suppliers, contractors, designers, and asset owners can all be verified to it. When you’ve got the whole value chain operating in the same way, that’s where the magic happens in releasing lower carbon solutions.”

HS2 is also minimizing the carbon footprint of its major transport project by applying PAS 2080 principles. Carbon Manager Mark Fenton gives just one example: “Our designers achieved a 27% reduction in the structural steel used to build the roof of the Old Oak Common station. That equates to 2,700 tonnes of carbon and a cost saving of £7m.”

By adhering to the guidance in the revised PAS 2080:2023, your business can demonstrably contribute to the efforts of the industry to achieve climate resilience, and reap the benefits of doing so. Download your free copy today.

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