Net Zero

Our approach takes many forms, including:

• Reducing embodied carbon in construction materials;
• Designing and delivering buildings that are net zero carbon in operation;
• Sustainable construction processes;
• Sustainable procurement, using local suppliers wherever possible;
• Installing photovoltaics and on-site renewables;
• Verifying and optimising building performance after occupation; and
• Retrofitting existing buildings with energy efficiency measures.

We follow the classic energy hierarchy: reducing and minimising energy use; improving energy efficiency; and using renewable energy wherever possible.

Embodied carbon

We design out carbon from the ground up, reducing embodied carbon as part of cutting the whole-life footprint of every building we construct. We carry out embodied carbon profiling and lifecycle assessment on our major projects, modelling the most efficient design and material choices at each stage.

At North Shields Transport Hub, this approach, including a glulam timber roof in place of steel and low-carbon concrete foundations, cut embodied carbon by 48%, more than 500 tonnes of CO₂e. We also helped create the UK Green Building Council's net zero carbon framework, and apply its principles across our work.

.

Net zero in operation

A net zero design only matters if the building delivers in use. We're one of the UK's most experienced builders of net zero carbon in operation buildings, from Hollycroft Primary, Leicestershire's first net zero school, to North Shields Transport Hub, the first building of its kind in the UK to be net zero in both construction and operation.

Our growing portfolio includes net zero academies at Durham and Outwood Kirkby, the Passivhaus, net zero primary school at Glyn-coch in Wales, and Grade A net zero offices at Doncaster Gateway.

Building performance

A building is only as good as the energy it actually uses — and on average, new buildings consume 34% more than promised at handover. Our building performance service, Energy Synergy®, closes that gap, using post-occupancy monitoring and expert analysis to turn data into action. It delivers 15% energy savings on average, nearly halving the typical performance gap, with a two-year payback.

At Hollycroft Primary School, we cut annual energy use by almost 28 MWh, saving around £8,000 a year. As the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard moves towards requiring proof of performance, verification is fast becoming essential rather than optional.

Sustainable construction processes

We run our sites as sustainably as possible. Our environmental management system is used on every project, with areas such as energy use and waste measured through key performance indicators and reviewed annually as part of our drive for continuous improvement.

We use local suppliers and local labour wherever we can, and frequently provide training and apprenticeships in the local community, leaving a positive legacy long after we leave site.

Sustainable procurement

We expect high environmental standards from all our suppliers, and we invest in our supply chain, providing training and guidance to help them improve their approach to sustainability.

We follow recognised environmental standards, including Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification on all projects using timber. We also help pioneer better materials: our industry-first fire safety testing of cavity barriers for cross-laminated timber is helping accelerate the wider adoption of low-carbon timber construction across the sector.

Photovoltaics and on-site renewables

We frequently install on-site renewable energy to help clients cut both the running costs and carbon of their buildings.

We've fitted photovoltaic (PV) panels on a huge range of projects, and our renewables expertise extends to air source and ground source heat pumps, battery storage and biomass. Through Willmott Dixon Community Solar Energy, we also help communities benefit directly from locally generated clean power.

Energy efficient buildings

We work with clients to reduce the carbon footprint of their buildings so that operational and whole-life costs are lower. A fabric-first approach, high levels of insulation and airtightness, thermally efficient products, and low-energy heating, lighting and ventilation, creates buildings that cost less to run, are more comfortable to occupy, and are resilient to rising energy prices and a changing climate.

BREEAM, Passivhaus and environmental ratings

Many of our projects achieve exceptional environmental ratings. We've delivered numerous buildings to BREEAM Very Good, Excellent and Outstanding, and we're a recognised Passivhaus pioneer.

We built the UK's first secondary school to the Passivhaus standard, Harris Academy Sutton, and the UK's first Passivhaus 'Plus' school at Hackbridge Primary, and we continue to set the pace with schemes such as Hounsome Fields and our Passivhaus primary school in Glyn-coch, Wales.