Sustainability

Reducing our carbon impact

Targets for Embodied Carbon Reduction

We don’t pay lip service to sustainability and work hard to not only make positive changes ourselves, but also to lead and collaborate with others to maximise our impact.  By measuring both our project and business emissions to accurately assess our carbon impact and through meticulous analysis and reporting, we have set realistic and achievable targets for reduction. 

Our commitment is to decrease the average embodied carbon in our projects from 340kgCO2e/m2 to 295kgCO2e/m2 by 2030. As of 2026, we are presently exceeding these targets.

By actively working towards these goals, we strive to make a positive impact on the environment and create a more sustainable future for all.

View our Carbon Impact Report

Carbon Data Results

Sharing embodied carbon data supports our commitment to open knowledge sharing, collaboration, and whole‑life carbon assessment, helping to build a stronger evidence base across the industry.

View our Carbon Data
Carbon Toolkit

Our Sustainable Approach

We take a proactive approach to measuring and analysing the embodied carbon in our projects. 

Through the use of our specialised toolkit and bespoke integration with REVIT models, we calculate and visually present the carbon content in our principal construction materials. Such insights enable our engineers to make informed decisions and focus their efforts on reducing the carbon in our buildings and minimising their environmental impact. 

We extend our sustainability efforts beyond structures and assess the carbon footprint of civil engineering elements and integrate our expertise with Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) designs.

By combining embodied and operational carbon data, we facilitate informed discussions with our clients, providing quantified insights for evaluating whether to retain or demolish existing buildings during redevelopment planning. We are actively building a better future for all.

AMC Signatories

Scaling Next-Generation Low Carbon Concrete with confidence through the AMC

Curtins has signed the Advance Market Commitment for Next-Generation Low Carbon Concrete, demonstrating our commitment to accelerating the adoption of innovative, low carbon materials.  

By working collaboratively across the industry, we are helping to reduce risk, unlock investment and support the transition to net zero, while continuing to deliver designs that meet the highest standards of safety, quality and performance.

Read More About AMC
tERC

The Engineers Reuse Collective (tERC)

As part of Curtin’s commitment to reducing embodied carbon, accelerating a circular economy and prioritising reuse, we are proud members of The Engineers Reuse Collective (tERC).

tERC is a not‑for‑profit group of practising engineers dedicated to mainstreaming material and structural reuse across the built environment, reducing embodied carbon and regenerative design practices whilst supporting the UK’s transition to net zero.

Being part of tERC gives us access to valuable resources and events that will help strengthen our leadership in low‑carbon design, material reuse and retrofit, while collaborating with organisations driving national change in how structural materials are retained and reused.

This strengthens our existing capabilities across Insite, Ecofurbishment, and deepens our understanding of existing structures and historic building conservation.

Explore The Engineers Reuse Collective

Our Culture 

We ensure our people are aligned with our approach to sustainability and are equipped with the understanding of their professional responsibilities towards climate change. 100% of our graduates complete a ‘Sustainability in Construction’ module as part of the Curtins Academy programme, equivalent to 100 hours a year in graduate development within sustainability. 

Through training, communications and the work of our Sustainability Technical Associate, sustainable practices have become embedded in our culture. Using our charity leave days, our people have run litter picks, organised charity clothes donations and helped in local community gardens, with the aim of having a positive personal impact on our communities, and they have our support in its entirety.  

Public Procurement Note (PPN 06/21)

Click here to read Curtins’ Baseline Report to PPN 06/21 Compliance. Within this report, we have identified the base line of operational emissions for Curtins, which has informed our goal of setting clear, realistic, and achievable reduction targets.

PPN Verification

We will be continuing our Sustainability Commitments alongside Beyondly. You can view details of this here.

Our Reducing our carbon impact Projects

Science and Engineering Building, MMU, Manchester
Higher Education

A highly sustainable new building at Manchester Metropolitan University serves as a dynamic living lab, showcasing advances in science and engineering. It bridges research, education, and the wider city region, fostering collaboration and sharing innovative solutions with the community.

Science and Engineering Building, MMU, Manchester

Henry Cotton LJMU
Higher Education

As part of Liverpool John Moores University’s largest redevelopment project, we are providing civil and structural engineering expertise to support decarbonisation and deliver modern, flexible facilities for students and staff.

Henry Cotton Building, LJMU, Liverpool

Hemisphere, Liverpool
Science & Technology

Hemisphere represents a defining moment in the regeneration of Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter, bringing forward a bold and sustainable new landmark shaped by the city’s architectural legacy.

Hemisphere, Liverpool

Copper Square, Brent Cross Town, Barnet
Mixed Use Regeneration

A flagship office building within Brent Cross Town and a landmark example of Modern Methods of Construction, the scheme was delivered through close collaboration between multiple stakeholders. It stands as one of Europe’s tallest hybrid structures, combining precast concrete, structural steel, composite beams, and cross‑laminated timber (CLT).

3 Copper Square, Brent Cross Town, Barnet

Pontllanfraith
Schools & Further Education

The refurbishment of Pontllanfraith Comprehensive School’s Grammar Block created a dedicated facility for vulnerable learners while boldly reducing embodied carbon through the reuse of 35 tonnes of structural steel in the new sports hall.

Pontllanfraith CVL, Wales

Carlisle Market Square and Greenmarket
Mixed Use Regeneration

We provided civil and structural engineering services for the redevelopment of Market Square, Castle Street and Green Market in the heart of Carlisle, aiming to transform the heart of the city into a greener and more vibrant place.

Carlisle Market Square and Greenmarket

Further Reading

See More
newsNews
25th Jun 26

Bridging intent to delivery: scaling next generation low carbon concrete with confidence through the AMC

Curtins is proud to have signed the Advance Market Commitment for Next-Generation Low Carbon Concrete, led by Innovate UK. Building on our 2022 public commitment to reduce embodied carbon, this marks an important step in accelerating and scaling the adoption of low carbon materials across the industry.

AMC Signatories
viewsViews
23rd Jun 26

How reusing buildings is fundamental to Midlands regeneration

Across the Midlands and wider built environment, the industry is increasingly moving to a ‘reuse first’ approach. This is a welcome shift given the wealth of existing building stock in the region and the enormity of opportunity for embodied carbon and cost reduction.

The Mailbox Birmingham
newsNews
22nd Apr 26

World Earth Day. Spotlighting the people shaping Curtins’ sustainability journey

World Earth Day is a chance to reflect on how we design, build and care for the world around us - and at Curtins, sustainability is integral to how we work, not an afterthought. To mark the day, our latest episodes of the Behind the Curtins podcast delve into what sustainability looks like in practice, with two colleagues sharing real-world insights on carbon reduction, retrofit, inclusive leadership and finding fulfilment through purpose‑driven work.

btc

Our Values

Being Human

We value people as people. We believe in fostering meaningful human connections that speak to the hearts and minds of our stakeholders, to build strong powerful relationships and communities that thrive and flourish.

Integrity

We say what we mean and mean what we say. Integrity lies at the heart of everything we do. It is the constant in the choices we make which builds trust, honesty, fairness, and respect for our colleagues and our clients alike.

Impact

Impact demonstrates the immeasurable power of our shared values and collective effort to effect positive, ground-breaking change and deliver excellence for our customers, colleagues, and the communities we serve.

Curiosity

We foster a culture of curiosity to help us constantly improve our work, inspire others to do better and think bigger, and to never stop learning.

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Let’s talk about your next project and how our experienced team can help

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