The Cala Group (Cala Management Ltd) has achieved Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) validation for its near- and long-term net-zero targets under the Buildings Sector criteria. This positions the company among a growing number of UK housebuilders aligning their carbon reduction strategies with climate science and the goals of the Paris Agreement.
The company has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its entire value chain by 2045, reflecting a structured, data-driven approach to decarbonisation aligned with the SBTi’s rigorous framework.
Setting clear science-based targets for decarbonisation
Under its newly approved SBTi targets, Cala will reduce its Scope 1 and 2 emissions, those generated directly from energy and fuel use across offices, construction sites, and vehicles, by 63% by 2035 and 90% by 2045, using 2023 as a base year.
The company’s Scope 3 emissions, which include both embodied and operational carbon, represent the most significant portion of its total footprint. Cala has committed to a 71.7% reduction in upfront embodied carbon (emissions from materials and their transport to site) per square metre of developed floor area by 2035, increasing to 96.8% by 2045.
In addition, Cala will reduce Scope 3 emissions from waste, business travel, and the use of sold homes by 66.4% per sqm by 2035, and by 97% per sqm by 2045. These targets address both near-term reductions and long-term decarbonisation across the life cycle of its developments.
Cala also plans to install no new fossil fuel equipment across homes and offices owned or financially controlled by the company, from 1 January 2030, further accelerating its transition to low-carbon operations.
Aligning with SBTi’s Buildings Sector criteria
The SBTi Buildings Sector guidance provides a detailed pathway for companies in the built environment to align with global climate goals. For Cala, validation under this framework confirms that its reduction strategy meets the latest industry standards for science-based decarbonisation.
Kathryn Dapré, Head of Sustainability at Cala, said: “The validation of Cala’s own, independent SBTi-verified targets under the Buildings Sector criteria marks another important step in our sustainability journey, confirming that our ambitions meet the rigorous standards required for our industry and align with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
“We have already made significant progress towards these goals, laying strong foundations in recent years that our new targets will build on. Achieving validation from SBTi reaffirms our commitment to driving meaningful change in how we operate our business and how we design and deliver our homes.”
Dapré added that success in achieving these goals reflects a collective effort across Cala’s teams and supply chain, supported by data-led reporting and investment in lower-carbon construction methods.
Progress on sustainability and performance
Cala has already demonstrated measurable progress towards its long-term sustainability goals. By the end of 2024, the company had cut its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by almost 39% since 2021, reflecting operational efficiencies and the transition away from fossil fuels.
From 1 January 2024, all Cala developments entering the planning process were fossil-fuel free, a milestone that underscores the company’s shift towards all-electric, low-carbon housing. Timber frame construction, a key enabler of embodied carbon reduction, accounted for almost 41% of homes built in the same period.
Waste management has also been a key area of focus. Cala diverted 99.9% of construction waste from landfill, with construction waste intensity reduced by 18.8% since 2021. These achievements demonstrate progress towards circular economy principles within its operations.
A roadmap to net-zero in the built environment
The UK construction and housing sector faces increasing pressure to reduce emissions in line with national net-zero targets. Cala’s SBTi validation marks a crucial step in demonstrating accountability and transparency within the industry.
By setting science-based, independently verified goals, the company provides a clear model for how housebuilders can integrate sustainability across design, construction, and operations. The inclusion of both embodied and operational emissions in Cala’s targets aligns with the whole-life carbon approach now expected across the built environment.
Through its SBTi-aligned targets, fossil-fuel-free policy, and measurable sustainability outcomes, Cala is advancing the decarbonisation of residential development and contributing to a more resilient, low-carbon construction sector.
Cala’s SBTi-validated net-zero targets mark a significant milestone in the company’s environmental strategy and a strong example of leadership within the UK housebuilding sector. By aligning with the SBTi Buildings Sector criteria, Cala is not only setting ambitious carbon reduction goals but also ensuring these are grounded in science and transparency.
Its progress on emissions, waste, and biodiversity underscores a wider shift in how the construction industry approaches sustainability, where data, innovation, and accountability underpin long-term change. As Cala continues to advance towards its 2045 net-zero goal, its roadmap provides a clear benchmark for responsible growth in the built environment.
Read next: Updates from the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard – Build in Digital
Are you a building professional? Sign up for a FREE MEMBERSHIP to upload news stories, post job vacancies, and connect with colleagues on our secure social feed.
