Carbon Reduction Plan

Purpose

This Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) outlines the strategy, commitments, and actions required to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with company operations. 

Organisation

RSD operates across three core disciplines:

  • Design (architecture, engineering, planning)
  • Consultancy (project management, advisory services)
  • Construction (on-site delivery and infrastructure)

Carbon emissions arise from:

  • Office energy use
  • Construction activities
  • Business travel and commuting
  • Supply chain and materials
  • Waste generation

Commitment

RSD commits to: - 

  • Reducing carbon emissions by 2040 (or earlier if feasible)
  • Integrating carbon reduction into business strategy and OH&S management systems
  • Providing resources to implement and maintain this plan
  • Ensuring compliance with all relevant environmental legislation

Net Zero Commitment

RSD commits to achieving Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions for all UK operations by 2050, in accordance with the UK Government’s Procurement Policy Note PPN 006 and the Technical Standard for Carbon Reduction Plans. This commitment applies to all relevant Scope 1, Scope 2, and required Scope 3 emissions categories.

Baseline Emissions Footprint 

Scope Definition 

Emission categories are as follows: - 

  • Scope 1: Direct emissions (fuel use, company vehicles)
  • Scope 2: Indirect emissions (purchased electricity)
  • Scope 3: Value chain emissions (materials, travel, waste, subcontractors)

Estimated Emission Profile 

Estimated percentages relating to each scope are as follows: - 

  • Scope 1: 50%
  • Scope 2: 25%
  • Scope 3: 25%

Primary contributors are: - 

  • Commuting and business travel
  • Office use
  • Construction work and associated materials purchase 

Baseline Year and Calculation Method

RSD Design & Consultancy Ltd has selected 2025 as the baseline year for carbon reporting.  

Emissions are quantified in accordance with:

  • GHG Protocol Corporate Standard
  • ISO 14064-1:2018
  • DEFRA Environmental Reporting Guidelines
  • Government PPN 06/21 Technical Standard

Organisational Boundaries

RSD applies the Operational Control approach, covering:

  • Office operations (homeworking and physical office)
  • Business travel and commuting
  • Subcontracted site activities under RSD’s control
  • Purchased electricity, fuel, and materials relevant to design and consultancy work

Baseline Emissions (tCO₂e)

The following baseline emissions will be updated upon completion of the next annual carbon assessment, as required by ISO 14001 and PPN 06/21:

  • Scope 1: To be confirmed following full carbon inventory  
  • Scope 2: To be confirmed following full carbon inventory
  • Scope 3: To be confirmed following supply chain and travel data assessment

A complete Carbon Inventory will be conducted annually in line with the Environmental Management System (EMS) requirements.

Risk and Opportunity Assessment

Risks

  • Increased material costs (prompting financial cuts in favour of greener options) 
  • Regulatory changes (Increased onus on regulatory and compliance costs prompting financial cuts in favour of greener options) 
  • Reputational damage if targets are not met 

Opportunities

  • Innovation through sustainable design
  • Cost savings through energy efficiency 
  • Competitive advantage in low carbon construction 

Link to Environmental Aspects & Impacts

This Carbon Reduction Plan is directly aligned with the organisation’s Environmental Aspects and Impacts assessment conducted under ISO 14001:2015.  

Key aspects influencing carbon emissions include:

  • Energy use in the office and during homeworking
  • Business travel (company and personal vehicles)
  • Subcontracted construction-related activities
  • Material use and waste generation

These aspects are reviewed annually as part of the EMS, as stated within the Environmental Policy and QMS. Controls for reducing significant impacts are implemented through documented Environmental Objectives.

Carbon Reduction Objectives and Targets

Short Term (by 2028)

  • Reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 40%
  • Source renewable electricity (e.g. solar)
  • Reduce business travel emissions by 30%

Medium Term (by 2035)

  • Reduce total emissions (Scopes 1–3) by 70%
  • Embed low-carbon design in 100% of projects

Long Term (by 2040)

  • Achieve Net Zero across all scopes

Carbon Reduction Measures

Design Phase

  • Implement low-carbon design principles
  • Use lifecycle carbon assessments (LCA)
  • Specify sustainable materials (e.g., recycled steel, low-carbon concrete)

Consultancy Services

  • Advise clients on carbon-efficient solutions
  • Integrate carbon tracking into project/contractual KPIs
  • Promote sustainable procurement practices

Construction Activities 

  • Transition to electric or low-emission plant and vehicles
  • Optimise site logistics to reduce fuel consumption
  •    Minimise waste and increase recycling rates

Energy and Buildings

  • Improve energy efficiency in offices
  • Install smart energy management systems
  • Transition to renewable energy sources

Travel and Transport 

  • Promote remote working and virtual meetings
  • Introduce electric vehicle (EV) fleet
  • Encourage public transport and cycling
  • Promote car sharing

Supply Chain Engagement

  • Work with suppliers to reduce embodied carbon
  • Require carbon reporting from key suppliers
  •    Prioritise local sourcing

Integration with QMS and OH&S Systems

Carbon reduction measures form part of RSD’s integrated management system.  

Relevant supporting processes include:

  • QMS Risk Management and Corrective Action Process (QMS Manual, Clauses 18–21)
  • Health & Safety Policy requirements for safe and low-carbon working practices
  • Environmental Policy commitments to sustainable design, pollution prevention, and lifecycle thinking

Performance against carbon objectives is monitored through the combined annual management review, as required by ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001.

Application

Planning

  • Set measurable carbon objectives

Support

  • Ensure competence in sustainable practices

Operation 

  • Embed carbon controls into operational procedures
  • Align safe systems of work with sustainable practices
  • Design workshops

Performance Evaluation

  • Monitor emissions annually
  • Conduct internal audits
  • Progress reports

Improvement

  • Continuously improve carbon performance
  • Investigate deviations and implement corrective actions

Monitoring and Reporting

The following assessments, reviews and disclosures shall be conducted: -

  • Annual carbon footprint assessment
  • Quarterly internal performance reviews
  • Public disclosure (if required, e.g., SECR or client requirements)

Key metrics:

  • Total CO₂e emissions
  • Emissions per project/value
  • Energy consumption
  • Waste diversion rate

Monitoring Responsibilities

Responsibility for monitoring carbon performance is allocated as follows:

  • Director (Ralph Were): Overall accountability for carbon reporting, ensuring data accuracy, resources, and compliance with PPN 06/21.
  • Company Secretary (Jaycie Michelle Were): Collection, organisation, and control of carbon-related data, including supplier information, travel records, and energy consumption.

These responsibilities align with role definitions in the QMS Manual and Health & Safety Policy.

Performance Review Cycle

Carbon performance is reviewed:

  • Quarterly through internal reviews  
  • Annually during the combined QMS/EMS/OH&S Management Review  
  • After significant changes in operations or regulatory requirements

Outputs from these reviews will be recorded within the Management Review Record as required by the QMS.  

Training and Awareness

RSD shall provide the following to company employees: - 

  • Carbon awareness training for all staff
  • Specialist training for design and construction teams

Communication

The following methods of communication shall be employed: - 

  • Internal communication - via meetings, dashboards, and updates
  • External communication - via sustainability reports and client engagement

Review & Continued Improvement

This plan will be reviewed annually or upon significant organisational or regulatory change.

Document Control

This Carbon Reduction Plan is a controlled document within the RSD QMS/EMS and is subject to the following controls:

  • Reviewed at least annually by the Director  
  • Version-controlled in accordance with the QMS Manual (Document Control & Storage requirements)  
  • Updated when changes occur in legislation, operations, or carbon performance  
  • Retained as a controlled record for a minimum of six years  

Document control requirements are aligned with ISO 9001:2015 clause 7.5 and ISO 14001:2015 clause 7.5.

Declaration and Approval

This Carbon Reduction Plan has been completed in alignment with  

Procurement Policy Note 006 (formerly PPN 06/21): Taking Account of Carbon Reduction Plans in the Procurement of Major Government Contracts.

It has been reviewed and approved by the Company Director of RSD.

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