Our routemap to achieving Net Zero carbon
We are leading by example in addressing the climate emergency by reducing our own emissions. Tibbalds commit to reducing the emissions from business operations to Net Zero by 2050, at the latest.
Promoting people and planet friendly places is at the core of Tibbalds.
Our business plan includes an objective to determine what ‘Net Zero’ means for Tibbalds, and to focus on mechanisms for ensuring our project work targets a robust reduction in carbon wherever we are able to influence it as masterplanners and planners.
Reducing emissions from our business operations
Recognising that rapid transformation is required, we have committed to reducing our Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions from our business operations to Net Zero by 2050, at the latest. This target is in-line with the UK Government’s legally binding target and the requirements of Procurement Policy Note 06/21.
To help achieve this we have put in place a Carbon Reduction Plan, which can be read in full here.
In our previous Carbon Reduction Plan for 2022-2023 we had committed to achieving Net Zero by 2030. This ambitious 2030 target was informed by climate science suggesting much more urgent action is needed than 2050, and was influenced by the public declarations of a Climate Emergency often linked to a 2030 target, including by the Greater London Authority.
However, all of our emissions are indirect Scope 3 emissions, so reductions are reliant on our wider supply chain and decarbonisation of society. Whilst much can be done to influence and change suppliers, this makes it harder to control emissions and set specific targets for reduction. We have therefore committed to the Government’s 2050 target for achieving this wider societal decarbonisation.
To gain a better understanding and inform our next Carbon Reduction Plan, we are now reviewing the Science Based Targets initiative definition of ‘Net Zero’ and their pathway that limits global temperature rises to 1.5°C. This will inform whether a more ambitious and measurable reduction target can be set in advance of 2050.
Promoting wider sustainability through our project work
Leading by example and committing to reduce Tibbalds carbon emissions from our business operations is an important first step. However, we also recognise that Tibbalds has a wider role in addressing the climate emergency and promoting sustainable places through our urban design and planning project work.
We are developing a Sustainability Framework and will use this to focus on mechanisms for ensuring our project work targets a robust reduction in carbon wherever we are able to influence it as masterplanners and planners. This will help Tibbalds in supporting best practice projects, identifying improvements for projects that could do more, and by declining projects that are not sufficiently considering their commitment to addressing climate change.
