The Climate Literacy of our team is the critical factor in empowering every decision we make as architects as we continue to rise to the twin crises of the destruction of nature and climate change. This requires a continuous and interrogative attitude to addressing this challenge, and manifests at both a practice research level, as it does through the practical application of designing buildings. The 8 categories of the RIBA 2030 Sustainable Outcomes form a useful benchmark for architects and designers, providing guidance on targeting, designing and evaluating sustainable outcomes for buildings of all scales.

Category 2: #OPERATIONALCARBON

Operation Carbon is defined as the ‘carbon dioxide produced as a result of the production and use of the energy from fossil fuels consumed for the day-to-day operation of the building or structure’ 40% of global carbon emissions come from powering building and cities. As such we need to act now to make Net Zero Operation Carbon an achievable target on all further developments. The RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge sets out to reduce operational energy demand and carbon by at least 75%, before offsetting, and by following the UKGBC Net Zero Framework:

1. Fabric First approach – Reducing the need for heating and cooling
2. Efficient services, and low carbon heating systems
3. Maximise onsite renewable energy production
4. Minimum offsetting using UK schemes (CCC)

Every one of these decisions has an effect on our planet and lives, and can represents an opportunity for positive outcomes. As part of our Environmental Commitments, the Morris+Company methodology fully engages Clients, Local Authorities, Design Teams, and Contractors to advocate, evaluate, and design buildings that minimise the Operational Carbon of all our projects