Intelligent construction specification, in the cloud. Work together on specs in real-time, across organisations and locations

A range of subscription options to make NBS Chorus work for you

NBS Chorus covers multi-discipline content, see all the content libraries available.

An NBS Chorus package created specifically for practices working on smaller works and projects

Perfect for design teams to view and annotate NBS specifications within their own modelling environment

A package created specifically for consultancies that write preliminaries

NBS offers a range of tools and services for specification and collaboration

A comprehensive online collection of construction related standards, regulations, technical advice and articles

The new specification writing and consultancy service from NBS

A range of tools to help you connect your specification information with Revit, Archicad & Vectorworks models

Digital plan of work and LOD resources

The latest findings from NBS tracking key insights into the Construction Industry

We surveyed almost 600 UK designers and specifiers about how they find the product information they need and their associated views.

Incorporating The BIM report, the Digital Construction Report gains a broader understanding of digital transformation

A valuable insight for all construction professionals, painting a picture of sustainability in the construction industry

Helpful tools, and downloads to help you make the most of NBS

Download sample specifications and see what's possible with NBS Chorus

Download a sample financial summary and see what's possible with NBS Chorus.

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

Thinking about moving NBS Chorus? Discover the benefits of moving to a digital specification platform.

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

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Platform

NBS Chorus Plans and features Scope and Contents Small works Designer New Preliminaries 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 New Plug-ins Digital Plan of Work

Resources

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

Support

Support NBS Academy New Downloads and updates

About

About NBS New Our team New Careers Partners Newsroom Sustainability

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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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.