The Carbon Action 2050 toolkit is an action plan of simple, practical steps that can be taken by the CIOB, its members and the wider construction industry to reduce carbon emissions from the built environment. Action Plan available free on website.

Provides a common framework for all infrastructure sectors and value chain members on how to manage whole life carbon when delivering infrastructure assets and programmes of work. Developed by the Achieving Net Zero Cross-Industry Working Group convened by CSIC. Draft Carbon Code document available free online.

GHG Protocol establishes comprehensive global standardized frameworks to measure and manage greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from private and public sector operations, value chains and mitigation actions. Free resource for use by companies, organisations, countries and cities.

The GRESB Real Estate Assessment is the investor-driven global ESG benchmark and reporting framework for listed property companies, private property funds, developers and investors that invest directly in real estate. Collection of excel tools and guidance docs available free from website.

A tool to calculate carbon emissions for operational, construction and maintenance activities undertaken on behalf of Highways England. Excel format available free online

To help inform the planning efforts of policy makers and business leaders, McKinsey has attempted to find a societally cost-optimal pathway to achieving the emissions targets. Countless possible pathways exist, covering a wide range of costs and economic impacts. Their report describes the least costly pathway among the many identified. Available free online.

It represents the start of a long-term programme of collaborative work, which will seek to share knowledge and best practice on delivering low-carbon solutions across the industry, which will seek to share knowledge and best practice on delivering low-carbon solutions across the industry. The net-zero challenge, in all its scale and complexity, requires a cross-industry response with collaboration at its heart. An open approach to carbon reporting will hasten industry transformation and bolster collaborative efforts. The whole value chain – including asset owner/managers, designers, constructors and product/material suppliers – should be able to contribute to and benefit from these developments.

​The Climate Emergency Design Guide covers 5 key areas: operational energy, embodied carbon, the future of heat, demand response and data disclosure. Our methodology includes setting the requirements of four key building archetypes (small scale residential, medium/large scale residential, commercial offices, and schools). It is specifically aimed towards developers/landowners, designers, policy makers, and the supply chain. It aims to help to define ‘good’ and to set clear and achievable targets. Free online PDF.

The MacKay Carbon Calculator provides a model of the UK energy system that allows you to explore pathways to decarbonisation, including net zero by 2050. Two version of the calculator are available free online: a univeral version called My2059 and a detailed version.

PAS 2080 is a global standard for managing infrastructure carbon and has been authored to meet World Trade Organization requirements. The framework looks at the whole value chain, aiming to reduce carbon and reduce cost through more intelligent design, construction and use. Applicable to any member involved in the delivery of infrastructure including asset owners/managers, designers, constructers and product/material suppliers. Currently being revised by GCB and Environment Agency.

This guidance mandates a whole life approach to reducing carbon emissions within the built environment. It sets out specific mandatory principles and supporting guidance for the interpretation and implementation of EN 15978 methodology. Specific objectives of this professional statement include providing a consistent whole life carbon assessment implementation plan and reporting structure for built projects, and promoting the reliability of whole life carbon assessments by acting as a solid reference for the industry.

Science-based targets provide a clearly-defined pathway for companies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, helping prevent the worst impacts of climate change and future-proof business growth. Companies from all sectors and of all company sizes can join the movement.

A software solution to automate information workflow in BIM using AI. Delivering a standard data structure and mapping methodology to provide construction projects a greater visibility of carbon emissions and overall improved cost & carbon control

Undertaking a comparative review of measures of performance (e.g. initial cost, whole life cost, productivity, duration, quality, carbon impact and reliability) currently in use by clients and contractors engaged initially in the construction of infrastructure projects including utilities, road, and rail projects at strategic, operational and tactical levels

A practical means of assessing the as-built in-situ thermal performance of critical building fabric elements such as floors, walls and roofs. Readily accessible technology is used to enable U-values and other thermal characteristics to be viewed, quantified and reported

IStrucE: The tool is an Excel-based carbon estimator for structures developed by Elliott Wood in collaboration with the IStructE. It can be used with the IStructE guide How to calculate embodied carbon. It will be freely available to all members as part of the ongoing focus on the climate emergency.

The aim of the database is to allow users to identify where associated carbon emission reductions can be made, during all stages of a building's life cycle. For organisations who submit their data, the database is free to use.

The Construction Playbook sets out key policies and guidance for how public works projects and programmes are assessed, procured and delivered. Promotes value-based procurement which encapsulates wider priorities such as net zero. Guidance document available free online.

Draft London Plan Policy SI 2 sets out a requirement for developments to calculate and reduce WLC emissions. The document explains how to prepare a Whole Life-Cycle Carbon (WLC) assessment and how and when to submit it to the GLA. The guidance is for anyone involved in, or with an interest in, developing WLC assessments including planning applicants, developers, designers, energy consultants and local authority officers. A WLC assessment template has also been produced which applicants will be expected to use. It has been developed with technical expertise from Cundall and Targeting Zero and through engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including developers and industry experts. Final document due to be published summer 2021 - comments from consultation currently under review.

The guidance provides practical information about implementation of the carbon valuation methodology for UK policy appraisal. It also outlines the reporting requirements for compliance with carbon budgets and guidance on how to calculate the cost effectiveness of climate change policies. Supplements HM Treasury: Green Book. Excel based workbook available free online.

Race To Zero is a global campaign to rally leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions, investors for a healthy, resilient, zero carbon recovery that prevents future threats, creates decent jobs, and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth. It mobilizes a coalition of leading net zero initiatives, representing 471 cities, 23 regions, 1,675 businesses, 85 of the biggest investors, and 569 universities. These ‘real economy’ actors join 120 countries in the largest ever alliance committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 at the latest. Collectively these actors now cover nearly 25% global CO2 emissions and over 50% GDP.

This note sets out how to take account of Carbon Reduction Plans in the procurement of major central government contracts.