Enable Sustainability reporting

The journey towards net zero demands a radical rethink in the effective use of real-time data to help understand how each firm’s processes impact energy use and the environment. Collaboration holds the key to understanding these impacts; by adopting a systems-thinking approach, aligned to an industry-wide net zero carbon transition, each enterprise can take rapid – and meaningful – steps towards measurable improvements.

Utilising the CARES Cloud allows Global Warming Potential (GWP) data to be independently verified and shared in the drive towards decarbonisation of the built environment.

Traceability holds the key to unlocking progress. It calls for a commitment to share, collaboratively, full manufacturing and processing information in a timely, transparent manner – via the CARES Cloud – thereby securing the assurance clients, consultants, designers and specifiers need to support their sustainability credentials.

CARES is working closely – through governments and with major public sector infrastructure providers – in developing secure digital resources designed to meet shared net zero goals.

Alignment with RIBA project stages

Embodied carbon analysis should be undertaken for each project, and it should include, as a minimum, a detailed list and description of materials to be used in the project, with preliminary quantities (weight), and the total carbon emissions.

Best practice within the industry recommends that at a minimum three full carbon analyses at the following project life stages should be conducted:

1. RIBA Stage 1 to 3: initial carbon analysis to determine carbon strategy in design. The CARES sector average EPD for scrap based electric arc furnace production could be used at this stage, the average carbon footprint is 760 kg CO2e per tonne of steel (A1 to A3). The sector average EPD is available from the CARES website: Environmental Product Declarations - Cares Steel Certification (carescertification.com).
2. Prior to tender: analysis is updated and acts as a benchmark for the contractor to meet or improve on.
3. As-Built: it is important to measure and monitor to determine final overall carbon emissions to determine achievement of set targets.

The data for the as-built carbon footprint is available from the supply chain via the CARES Cloud digital product traceability platform, which captures the relevant information as the steel moves along the supply chain to the construction site.