A new survey by climate tech firm, IES has turned up a surprising finding, the company says; a strong streak of confidence among built environment professionals that net zero goals are within reach.
Confidence is widespread on both the decarbonisation of the sector, and on the wider UK’s ability to achieve net zero goals, the survey found. According to IES, this paints a picture of an industry ready to tackle the challenges of decarbonisation head-on.
The research highlighted that nearly three-quarters (73.4%) of built environment professionals believe achieving a net zero built environment by 2050 is possible.
However, while this optimism reflects the sector’s willingness to embrace sustainable practices, IES said the latest Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap Progress Report by UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) tells a different story about the direction of travel.
Between 2018 and 2022, emissions in the UK built environment fell by just 13% – falling short of the 19% reduction required by UKGBC’s Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap. This “stark contrast” between industry confidence and actual progress highlights a discrepancy between industry perceptions and the reality of the climate challenge, IES says.
The survey’s results also show that over two-thirds (65.2%) of experts are confident that the industry will meet the UK’s 2050 net zero targets.
Again, IES says this confidence in ability to meet climate targets is surprising considering that the UK is currently not on track to meet the 78% reduction figure, according to reports from both the CCC and National Audit Office.
Furthermore, in contrast to the built environment survey, the energy sector remains pessimistic, with the Energy Institute’s (EI) Energy Barometer 2024 Report revealing that more than four in five professionals in the sector doubt that the UK can deliver the 2035 emissions target. With these contrasting findings, IES argues it’s becoming “increasingly clear that bold policy frameworks are needed to ensure cross-sector collaboration and decisive action”.
While the survey results are “encouraging”, the company adds that the path toward net zero is not “without obstacles”. The built environment sector, responsible for over a third of the UK’s total carbon footprint, faces significant challenges in reducing both operational and embodied carbon emissions.
Don Mclean, chief executive of IES, said: “As the UK continues on its journey towards a lower carbon future, the confidence and commitment of industry, including high emitters like the built environment sector, will be crucial. With ongoing innovation, policy frameworks, and industry-wide collaboration, the vision of a net-zero built environment by 2025 is becoming increasingly attainable – but the proof will be in how we take action.
“Optimism alone is not enough – accelerating the pace of change is critical. We must look at decarbonisation across whole-life building performance, as this central focus remains the single-most effective strategy to attaining our ambitious, but achievable goal.”
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