It is currently estimated that the built environment contributes to around 25% of the UK’s emissions. This is influenced by a variety of factors in the industry, including property development, design choices, the construction process and building maintenance. The UK’s property development sector plays a vital role in shaping the built environment, economic growth and the nation's housing and infrastructure needs. In the UK, property development is a dynamic, multi-phase process that is influenced by market forces, changing consumer demand and planning policy. This includes everything from suburban residential estates to urban regeneration and mixed-use megaprojects. For property developers in 2025, the pressure to address environmental responsibilities is now hardwired into planning frameworks, investor expectations and tenant demand. A Business Carbon Assessment (BCA) for property developers can serve as a baseline to establish credible sustainability commitments for their companies and promote sustainable construction practices.
Why Property Developers Are Rethinking Sustainability in 2025
Over the last decade, the construction industry has evolved rapidly, driven by increased legislation, embodied carbon disclosures and the integration of circular economy principles. The latest trend in sustainable construction indicates an increased focus on energy efficiency, low-carbon materials and meeting compliance requirements.
Several key developments are advancing the importance of business carbon assessment for property developers:
- Planning and procurement frameworks: Local authorities are mandating carbon reporting and carbon reduction plans for new developments, especially in the public sector.
- Embodied carbon regulation: UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard and proposed updates to Part Z of the Building Regulations are pushing developers to quantify and reduce lifecycle carbon.
- Sustainable finance expectations: Green loans and ESG-linked financing increasingly require proof of carbon footprint baselines and carbon reduction targets.
- CSRD and Scope 3 visibility: Developers with operations in the EU, or who supply to Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)-reporting clients, are being asked for transparent carbon data, particularly for materials and site-level emissions.
For developers aiming to align with sustainability trends in construction, understanding and acting on carbon data from a BCA is a key way to improve market viability.
What Does a Business Carbon Assessment Entail
A Business Carbon Footprint Assessment is a science-based, end-to-end service designed to help businesses measure, understand and reduce their environmental impact. For the property development industry, the assessment is tailored to reflect the sector’s unique carbon challenges and opportunities. It includes:
Comprehensive Emissions Review
- Scope 1: Direct emissions such as fuel used at company facilities, construction sites, generators and to run company vehicles
- Scope 2: Indirect emissions from purchased electricity for site cabins, offices and temporary infrastructure
- Scope 3: Indirect supply chain emissions from materials, subcontractors, transport, staff commuting, business travel and upstream services
Carbon Hotspot Identification
- Site energy inefficiencies
- High-emission material choices (e.g. steel, concrete)
- Logistics and transportation impacts
- Subcontractor and supplier contributions
Tailored Reduction Strategies
- Recommendations for switching to low-carbon materials and renewable energy
- Energy optimisation for site operations
- Supplier engagement tactics to reduce Scope 3 emissions
- Integration with design and procurement choices
Net Zero Roadmapping
- A clear, step-by-step carbon reduction plan aligned with net zero targets
- Guidance on setting science-based targets (SBTi-aligned)
- Progress tracking for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting and stakeholder engagement
When applied specifically as a business carbon assessment for property developers, this service helps organisations embed carbon awareness into every stage of development, from planning and procurement to construction and operations.
Case Study: How Trustgreen Achieved Carbon Neutrality
Trustgreen, a leading provider of open-space management services for residential communities across the UK, has long been committed to sustainability. This has included enhancing habitats, supporting local biodiversity and contributing to greener, healthier neighbourhoods. Eager to take their environmental commitment further and avoid the risk of greenwashing, Trustgreen partnered with Tunley Environmental to undergo a first-rate business carbon assessment and obtain expert verification of their carbon impact.
The assessment delivered a clear picture of Trustgreen’s emissions baseline, forming the foundation for a credible, science-led net zero strategy. It also provides Trustgreen and its customers with a clear evaluation of carbon emissions associated with these business practices and aligns with Trustgreen’s ambition for achieving carbon neutrality. The verification process not only provided valuable insights but also enabled the business to identify immediate, short-term carbon reduction opportunities, allowing them to tackle “low-hanging fruit” efficiently and allocate resources more effectively. In their recent re-audit, the total carbon emissions in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (t CO2e per annum) were found to be 139 t CO2e. Tunley Environmental recommend taking steps to reduce emissions and become NZC by list reduction initiatives. By implementing these reduction initiatives, Trustgreen shall be able to reduce their emissions by 64 t CO2e (46%) by 2032, helping them reach their net zero goal. The remaining emissions must be offset in order to achieve net zero. With expert support and robust data in place, Trustgreen is now equipped to implement a long-term carbon reduction plan aligned with their broader sustainability goals and the expectations of property developers they work alongside.
LEARN MORE ABOUT TRUSTGREEN'S BCA
Watch their case study video and read all about their project with Tunley Environmental.
Benefits of Conducting a Business Carbon Assessment for Property Developers
A BCA enhances performance improvement, operational strength in light of growing environmental scrutiny and strategic business growth.
- Planning success and policy compliance: Beyond helping to meet local planning requirements for sustainable buildings and climate resilience, a BCA could also help position a property developer positively with councils and regulators.
- Cost-Effective Carbon Reduction: A BCA helps identify energy and resource inefficiencies in the way the business is run. This could influence opting for carbon-conscious material choices that can also reduce procurement costs.
- Improved ESG Credentials: A property developer who undertakes a BCA with mitigation strategies in place to show for it will find that verifiable emissions data builds investor confidence. This enhances eligibility for green finance and sustainability-linked loans.
- Supply Chain Accountability: Undergoing a BCA maps Scope 3 emissions and identifies supplier hotspots. To address this, the development company can undertake steps to encourage carbon transparency from subcontractors and materials providers.
- Alignment with Sustainable Construction Requirements: A property developer with a comprehensive understanding of their carbon emissions is better positioned align with compliance requirements for construction like PAS 2080, Whole Life Cycle Assessment (WLCA) and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG).
Learn More: Business Carbon Assessment Net Zero Strategy | Tunley Environmental
The Bottom Line
As a result of increased pressure to meet planning regulations and investor expectations, a business carbon assessment for property developers can serve as a strategic tool. Understanding your emissions profile is the first step towards reducing it. A personalised analysis from a business carbon footprint assessment will equip your organisation with the right data and insights to put in place mitigation strategies to effectively manage your carbon footprint.