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A five-part sustainable specification guide serving as a living, sustainability-focused document.

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Helping our customers design and build a more sustainable built environment whilst setting our own sustainability targets to contribute to a greener future for all.

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Platform

NBS Chorus Plans and features Scope and Contents Book a demo Sign in to NBS Chorus NBS Source Browse by category Browse by manufacturer For manufacturers Go to NBS Source Uniclass Articles and updates Specifying with Uniclass Feedback and Support Find a code Other services Construction Information Service (CIS) NBS Schumann BIM New All tools

Resources

Knowledge Case studies Updates Reports Digital Construction Report Sustainable Futures Report Resources Sample Specifications Financial Summary Sustainable Specification Guides Whitepaper

Support

Support NBS Academy Downloads and updates

About

About NBS Our team Our history Sustainability Careers Partners Contact us

News

Newsroom

Sustainability
with NBS

Climate change is a global issue and construction has a major role to play. NBS is certified as Carbon Neutral via a UKAS accredited third party PAS 2060 assessor. Furthermore, as part of the Byggfakta Group we are aiming for Net Zero carbon by 2030.

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Helping the construction industry build sustainably

At NBS our customers use our platforms to make specification decisions on tens of thousands of construction projects each year. Sustainability is arguably the most expansive strategy in the RIBA Plan of Work 2020 and we recognise that the specification content we provide can help make a significant positive difference to our future built environment.

NBS platforms can be used to specify sustainable outcomes on projects, this article shows you how.

Our commitment

We recognise that we must also play our own part as a company in building a sustainable future and making a positive impact on our community. With this in mind, in June 2021 we joined the UN Climate Neutral Now initiative.

The Climate Neutral Now initiative makes it clear that sustainable outcomes that are measurable are key to a business that wants to reduce its environmental impact. These outcomes need to be measured, then potential reductions need to be identified, action needs to be taken and there needs to be transparency on reporting.

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Over the past two years, we have embarked upon several measures to decarbonize our operations. Over the past two years specifically, we have embarked upon several measures to decarbonize our operations. Our current strategy has reduced our operational emissions by 55%.
Following completion of our emissions calculations from 2021 and through implementing robust carbon reduction measures, NBS had reduced its operational emissions from the base year of 2019 by 56%.

NBS annual sustainability metrics

When considering sustainable outcomes, we believe the RIBA Sustainable Outcomes Guide is an excellent place to start – especially for an organization that operates in the built environment. The RIBA Sustainable Outcomes Guide aligns closely to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which are internationally recognized, and also has suggested metrics that allow environmental impact to be measured.

Our Sustainability Statement covers the following:

  • Highlighted activities and measures, aligned to the RIBA Sustainable Outcomes, from recent years
  • Metrics for operational carbon usage and carbon neutrality status
  • Highlighted activities and measures, aligned to the RIBA Sustainable Outcomes, that we pledge to undertake over the next three years

We believe we can meet our pledge to reduce our environmental impact through the above activities and also by working with colleagues to implement more.

Additional information

Useful web links:

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Offsetting our carbon.

We also recognize that whilst we strive towards net-zero emissions, we can continue to be carbon-neutral through offsetting against our residual emissions. With this in mind, we have chose to partner with Forest Carbon and have offset our carbon emissions since 2019. As part of NBS’ PAS 2060 Carbon Neutrality status, we also pledge to continue offsetting each year into the future alongside our emission reduction strategy.

Feedback is always appreciated on how we can do better. Please email info@theNBS.com to pass on your suggestions to the internal NBS sustainability group.

NBS sustainability resources

26 May 2022
Join our webinar on Thursday 26 May at 11 am, as Lee Jones, Acting Head of Sustainability at Byggfakta Group, will chair a panel of industry and sustainability experts to discuss the report's key findings around attitudes and barriers to sustainability within the construction industry. 
19 October 2021
In episode three of the NBS sustainability mini-series, Lee Jones, Head of Manufacturer Solutions at NBS, discusses sustainable marketing. Whether you're working for an architectural practice, engineering firm, or product manufacturer, we all have a role to play. But how do you raise awareness and proactively promote your sustainability activities and credentials?
12 October 2021
In the second episode of the NBS sustainability mini-series, Paul Swaddle, Head of Technical Solutions, will discuss sustainability goals and holistic specification in the face of the climate emergency with Richard Sabin of Biotecture. The webinar will look at practical examples towards achieving real sustainable outcomes like reducing air pollution and biophilia.
05 October 2021

Join us for the first episode of the NBS sustainability webinar mini-series to explore the sustainability journey for businesses in the construction industry. Hosted by Lee Jones, NBS Head of Manufacturer Solutions, the session will discuss how to become a sustainable business including practical steps, some of the lessons we’ve learnt at NBS, and essential considerations.

08 July 2021 | by
Our Common Future is the 1987 publication by the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) credited for introducing the concept of sustainable development, with Gro Harlem Brundtland chairing the UN-sponsored Commission. In the report, the WCED – informally known as the Brundtland Commission – outlined what sustainable development should look like and how to achieve it.