Managing Infrastructure Carbon Projects: 10 things you need to know about PAS 2080

Temple’s recent appointment from the Department for Transport (DfT) as advisers on specialist engineering, carbon and cost benchmarking is one of several infrastructure carbon management projects, which follow PAS 2080 guidance.

As part of this project along with WSP, Temple will be providing expert advice, on business case support, strategic planning and appraisal, transport operations and performance, commercial advice for transport and transport infrastructure, and asset advice. A big part of the project will be supporting the DfT in realising their ambition to meet future climate goals and be guided by the principles of PAS 2080 which is the foremost industry-wide standard for carbon management, taking climate mitigation measures forward, and making a valuable contribution to zero carbon target in 2050.

PAS (Publicly Available Specification) 2080 was introduced to increase understanding of whole life carbon management within the infrastructure sector. It is a global standard for managing infrastructure carbon and was created to ensure World Trade Organisation requirements are met.

Some of our takeaways from PAS 2080:  

1. PAS 2080 is the world’s first specification for carbon management and was published in 2016.
2. PAS 2080 is a global standard for managing infrastructure carbon and has been authored to meet World Trade Organization requirements.
3. The framework looks at the whole value chain, aiming to reduce carbon and reduce cost through more intelligent design, construction, and use.
4. PAS 2080 includes requirements for all value chain members to show the right leadership and to establish effective governance systems for reducing whole-life carbon through the use of a detailed carbon management process.
5. PAS 2080 on carbon management in infrastructure is targeted at leaders and practitioner-level individuals in different value chain organizations (asset owners/managers, designers, constructors, and product/material suppliers) responsible for delivering infrastructure.
6. PAS 2080 on carbon management in infrastructure provides a common framework for all infrastructure sectors and value chain members on how a carbon management process must be developed which is embedded into the infrastructure delivery process.
7. PAS 2080 promotes reduced carbon, reduced cost infrastructure delivery, more collaborative ways of working, and a culture of challenge in the infrastructure value chain through which innovation can be fostered.
8. PAS2080 also ensures carbon is consistently and transparently quantified at key points in infrastructure delivery which promotes sharing of data along the value chain.
9. PAS2080 is not just a framework but also product suppliers, contractors, designers, and asset owners can all be verified to it. When the whole value chain operates in the same way, that’s when the magic happens in releasing lower carbon solutions.
10. Infrastructure has a critical role to play in meeting net zero in 2050 and beyond. PAS2080 provides a framework that presents best practice carbon management within infrastructure, which we envision will be fundamental in achieving our national aims. Achieving net-zero is a considerable challenge and will require alignment across the value chain. Embedding carbon into decision making across organisations and through the infrastructure delivery stages is key, as is quantifying whole life carbon emissions regularly to support decision making and influence behaviours up and down the value chain.

The following outcomes can be achieved by adoption of PAS2080:

• A reduction in the costs of delivering and maintaining our infrastructure – driving more efficient ways of working and helping us to have an even greater impact on society and the communities that we serve.
• Effective carbon management – is an important contribution to tackling climate change and leaving a positive legacy for future generations.
• Delivering more sustainable solutions at lower cost – enhancing the reputation of the industry, generating pride for those who work in it, and attracting new people and skills to strengthen our capabilities.
• A platform for innovation to thrive – leading to more vibrant and rewarding workplaces.

The PAS2080 is important for our Climate and Carbon team as it helps to:

• Demonstrate our commitment to carbon reduction in the marketplace
• Measure and monitor carbon reduction
• Collaborate on projects across the supply chain
• Gain a competitive edge when bidding for tenders

Temple’s expanding climate change team means we are looking to support more clients in realising their ambition to meet future climate goals.