In the two years since the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge was first launched, the reaction from industry has been positive: the targets have been embedded by developers into business plans; used by clients to inform project briefs; implemented by Chartered Practices across their project portfolios and referenced by academics in research. These are encouraging signs.
However, we must not sit back and assume that our task is complete. When the challenge launched, we accepted and acknowledged that the targets would need refining as industry knowledge and the availability of data sets grew. That time has arrived, and June 2021 saw the publication of Version 2 of the challenge. The new figures reflect developments in knowledge and research and have been amended in line with forthcoming legislation.
The Version 2 update now includes targets for schools, as well as those for the domestic and commercial (office) building sectors. We have worked with experts across the built environment sector to reflect current industry intelligence and, whilst some modifications have been made to the interim targets, the ambitious 2030 energy and water targets remain unchanged. The commercial offices' operational energy 2025 target has become harder in Version 2 because it’s achievable and reflects positive progress in the industry. The domestic 2025 energy target has also been tightened.
The embodied carbon targets have also been refined, reflecting advancement in the industry’s insight into embodied carbon performance data. These new targets are based on a considerable amount of work across several institutions, including the London Energy Transformation Initiative (LETI), the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) and the Whole Life Carbon Network (WLCN) to align definitions, scopes, targets, and methodologies. This alignment ensures that, as a built environment sector, we speak with one voice.
Previously, the 2030 Climate Challenge set out total embodied carbon (A1-A5, B1-B5, C1-C4) performance targets, but these figures were not directly comparable to the upfront carbon targets published by LETI, because they had different scopes. With the release of Version 2 of the challenge, LETI and RIBA embodied carbon figures are now aligned. But it’s important to note that the 2030 Climate Challenge targets are performance measures of realised in buildings completed in 2025 and 2030, the LETI dates relate to the year of design.
While there may be queries as to why the seeming relaxation of the embodied carbon figures, it should be recognised that the updated embodied carbon targets better reflect an industry-wide understanding of embodied carbon benchmarks and data. We recognise that there is a big variation in the opportunity for carbon reductions even within one sector, depending on typology and form (for example, a detached single storey rural domestic property versus urban high rise multi-residential apartment). The updated targets assume averages, based on the developing knowledge of embodied carbon performance data within the construction sector.
As with all targets, these embodied carbon figures should be read as maximum thresholds – the aim is to reduce as much as possible. We encourage and applaud projects that go further than any of the presented targets and will be seeking exemplar case studies, as well as seeking to improve the industry’s understanding of embodied carbon performance trends.
As part of the update, we also want to strengthen industry knowledge and create a data feedback loop. That’s why we’ve asked signatories to submit metered project data following the first year of occupation (in conjunction with their clients). To help with this, we have also produced guidance on how to talk and engage with clients.
Irrespective of the finessing of the numbers, the message remains the same: act now, aim for the 2030 targets from today. The targets play a critical step in the reduction’s trajectory required to work towards the UK’s 2050 net zero goal. There may need to be further refinement in the coming years as science-based targets are developed by the UK built environment industry, but the point remains: we need urgent action and commitment to playing our part to dramatically reduce our current unsustainable behaviours.
Find inspiration on stepping up to the challenge at the 2021 RIBA Smart Practice Conference.
Join in and sign up to the 2030 Climate Challenge.
Find out more about our climate action work.
