Carbon Anaylsis

Achieving net zero carbon is a fundamental requirement of building design, driven by the need to address the climate change emergency, and also enforced in part through planning policy and Building Regulations. At Delta Green we can help you build a net zero carbon strategy, starting with setting clear targets in line with industry guidance and standards and then developing practical strategies to achieve these targets. Using performance modelling, we test and refine these strategies before embedding them into design specifications and finally monitoring delivery through construction and in operation to ensure outcomes are realised in practice. Our support can be provided at any project stage, for both new buildings and the retrofit of existing assets across a diverse range of sectors. We can undertake a range of detailed assessments to quantify, inform and evidence net zero carbon performance.

In developing a net zero carbon strategy we can support in the evaluation and reduction of all areas of building Whole Life Carbon, defined as the total greenhouse gas emissions and removals, both operational and embodied, over the entire life cycle of a building, including its disposal;

Setting meaningful net zero carbon targets can be challenging given the range of guidance, standards and planning requirements now in place. Whatever stage your project is at in establishing an ESG brief, Delta Green can support you in defining clear, robust targets that align with current planning policy, Building Regulations and recognised industry frameworks such as the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard. We help clients navigate these requirements, understand which benchmarks are most appropriate for their development, and establish practical performance targets for both operational and embodied carbon. This ensures that carbon ambitions are clearly defined from the outset and translated into measurable, achievable outcomes.

We can provide a carbon reduction plan to set out the practical route to reducing both embodied and operational carbon in line with net zero targets. As building services engineers, we develop the services strategy that underpins this plan — including fabric-first principles, low-energy system design, electrification of heat, smart controls, renewables integration, and performance verification. This ensures that carbon ambitions are translated into coordinated, deliverable engineering solutions throughout building design and lifecycle.

We undertake detailed operational and embodied carbon assessments and bring these together to determine a building’s whole life carbon, using recognised methodologies and modelling tools we quantify predicted energy use, assess material impacts and test design options to identify practical routes to carbon reduction. These assessments provide clear evidence for planning submissions, environmental certifications and net zero strategies, while guiding design teams towards buildings that are lower carbon in both construction and operation.

Operational Carbon emissions arising from the energy used to heat, cool, ventilate, light, and power a building in operation. Operational carbon is evaluated through performance energy modelling and predicted water consumption. To see our approach to optimising design for building energy consumption see our Energy Page.

Embodied Carbon – emissions associated with the manufacture, transport, installation, maintenance and disposal of building materials and systems. Embodied carbon is evaluated using the software OneClickLCA.

We can carry out assessments to evaluate performance against the following standards and more:

• Net Zero Carbon Building Standard (NZCBS)
• BREEAM Lifecycle Assessment (LCA)
• Carbon Risk Real Estate Monitor (CRREM)
• Whole Life Carbon Assessment to support planning submissions

Every project has unique carbon reduction targets, planning requirements, and sustainability goals. Whether supporting healthcare, commercial, educational, or residential developments, our engineers undertake comprehensive carbon assessments and develop tailored decarbonisation strategies that help projects understand, reduce, and manage their environmental impact throughout the building lifecycle.

Our carbon assessment services can be applied to projects of all sizes and complexities, from refurbishment and fit-out schemes to large-scale new build developments. By evaluating operational and embodied carbon from the earliest stages of design, we help project teams identify opportunities to reduce emissions, compare design options, and make informed decisions that support net-zero ambitions. Through clear analysis and practical recommendations, we help create lower-carbon, more sustainable developments that meet both regulatory and client objectives.

To learn more about our experience delivering carbon assessments across a range of sectors, view our recent projects here.