Case Study
Built Environment

The World's First Standard for Managing and Reducing Infrastructure Carbon

A standard that enhances collaboration and cost savings in the built environment, PAS 2080 can help lower carbon across the whole value chain.

Testimonial

“When you've got the whole value chain operating in the same way, that's where the magic happens.”

David Riley Anglian Water

Reducing Infrastructure Carbon Emissions: The Development of PAS 2080

The scale of infrastructure carbon emissions needed urgent attention, demanding a fast-tracked standard that could also be comprehensive in scope.

In the light of a government review that attributed more than 50% of the UK's carbon emissions to infrastructure, a consistent framework that could encompass the whole value chain was identified as essential to the industry's sustainability goals.

The Challenge

Tackling the complexity of infrastructure carbon

The infrastructure industry faced immense challenges to meet the goals of the 2008 Climate Change Act, which mandated a 75% reduction in emissions across project lifecycles.

A new standard was needed to establish a framework spanning the entire value chain. It sought to lower both carbon and costs through smarter design, build processes, and facility usage.

Consistent and transparent carbon measurement at pivotal delivery stages was also vital. The standard's all-encompassing approach and stringent reporting requirements aimed to systematically cut emissions from initial planning through a project's usage lifetime.

The Solution

An emphasis on innovation and collaboration

PAS 2080 provides a framework for reducing carbon emissions and costs across the entire infrastructure lifecycle.

Developed through collaboration between industry experts, it establishes targets, baselines, metrics and reporting procedures to quantifiably manage carbon throughout design, construction and use.

User verification and guidance helped ensure consistent application of carbon management principles across the value chain.

Benefits of the PAS

PAS 2080:2023 guides organizations in holistic carbon management, reducing costs, fostering industry leadership, and adapting to a low-carbon future.

PAS 2080 guides the management of carbon across the lifecycle of buildings and infrastructure.
It emphasises early collaboration, defined roles, and integrated decision-making for sustainability.
Implementing PAS 2080 can lower project costs, emissions and enhance tender competitiveness.
Using it shows commitment to decarbonizing the built environment and effective carbon management.

Results

61%

reduction in capital carbon and 22% fall in capital expenditure for Anglian water.
£7 million

27% fall in structural steel use for HS2, delivering cost saving of £7 million.

Testimonial

“PAS 2080 is really important for us because it increases our operational efficiency and allows us to collaborate well within disciplines.”

Conor McCone Skanska

Why BSI

A global standards leader

BSI experts collaborate across industries to develop standards supporting sustainable infrastructure. Through consensus-based standards, we enable businesses and markets to future-proof operations, driving growth while reducing environmental impact.