What's Happening?
Engineering consultancy Curtins has published its latest embodied carbon data for 2025/26, emphasizing its commitment to transparency and low-carbon design in the built environment. The data, derived from over 500 projects, provides insights into upfront
embodied carbon for new-build projects across various sectors. Curtins aims to support knowledge sharing and promote carbon reduction as a critical measure of project success. The findings reveal that Higher Education projects are leading in performance, with commercial offices and healthcare buildings also performing strongly. However, residential projects exceed the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard 2030 target, indicating a need for innovation and improvement.
Why It's Important?
Curtins' publication of embodied carbon data is a significant step towards promoting sustainability in the construction industry. By making this data available, Curtins encourages collaboration and the adoption of lower-carbon solutions. The data highlights areas where the industry is performing well and where further improvements are needed, particularly in residential projects. This transparency can drive meaningful change, helping the industry meet national and international carbon reduction targets. The focus on reducing embodied carbon is crucial for the construction sector, which is a major contributor to global carbon emissions.
What's Next?
Curtins is committed to exceeding its internal embodied carbon reduction targets ahead of 2030. The firm has already achieved an 11% reduction, outperforming its trajectory. Curtins emphasizes the need for collective action across the supply chain to further reduce embodied carbon. The company has joined initiatives like the Engineers Reuse Collective and Innovate UK's AMC for Low Carbon Concrete to support the development and adoption of low-carbon solutions. Continued transparency and targeted action are expected to make a measurable impact on carbon reduction, supporting the transition to a more sustainable future.
