BSI launches update of carbon management standard

BSI has launched an update of its carbon management standard, PAS 2080:2023, designed to help built environment organisations reduce their carbon emissions.

PAS 2080 was first published in 2016 to support the Government's net zero strategy by establishing a carbon management process for infrastructure delivery. It is a globally applicable standard for managing carbon in buildings and infrastructure.

The scope of the standard has been expanded to accelerate progress with a move from ambition to action on decarbonisation, by detailing steps to reduce the carbon footprint of both buildings and infrastructure over the whole lifecycle of an asset. It has been developed with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Green Construction Board (GCB).

The revised standard covers everything from the materials to design, construction, and the use of a structure, including demolition and disposal.

BSI say PAS 2080 is designed to support organisations with reviewing their carbon emissions by encouraging early collaboration between project parties. This involves setting out roles and responsibilities to maintain a low carbon focus throughout. 

The updated specification also includes methods for all organisations involved in a built environment project to understand the impact of their activities on their wider network, revealing interdependencies that could influence and support decarbonisation across built environment systems.

Anthony Burd, Associate Director and Head of Built Environment at BSI said: "The original standard on carbon management has been well used within the built environment and this update is designed to further empower behavioural change on carbon reduction by helping organisations recognise and respond to the urgency for climate action.

"We are delighted to be introducing this specification for the decarbonisation of buildings and infrastructure to the built environment sector and would like to thank all those organisations that have been involved. I look forward to seeing the positive impact that this will have on accelerating the reduction of carbon emissions, ultimately bringing wider benefit to society."