As the UK looks to tighten its net zero commitments through upcoming carbon budgets and sectoral pathways, infrastructure is under the spotlight, not only as a source of emissions, but as a lever for change. For forward-thinking developers, asset owners, and infrastructure delivery teams, the challenge is about delivering infrastructure that is carbon-efficient across its whole life cycle, from planning to decommissioning.
At Temple, we believe the most transformative benefits lie in early-stage design interventions, robust carbon verification, and a rigorous application of standards like PAS 2080. By embedding carbon thinking into infrastructure projects from the outset, organisations can dramatically cut emissions, reduce costs, and build climate change resilient assets that stand the test of time.
Why whole life carbon matters more than ever
Infrastructure projects historically focused on operational carbon such as energy use, heating and lighting. But this captures only a fraction of total climate impact. As grids decarbonise and efficiency improves, embodied carbon (emissions associated with materials, construction, and maintenance) is becoming the dominant part of a project’s carbon footprint.
Some of the key shifts driving change:
· PAS 2080 is becoming a benchmark for infrastructure clients and supply chains across the UK.
· Net zero targets from the government, regulators (e.g. Ofgem, Environment Agency), and major funders now include scope 3 emissions and lifecycle assessments.
How to embed carbon thinking
Temple can work with infrastructure stakeholders to apply a structured approach across key phases and turn good intentions into measurable results:
1. Early-stage carbon screening and scoping
· Incorporating climate mitigation and adaptation criteria in business cases and environmental assessments.
· Identifying “carbon hotspots”.
2. Applying PAS 2080 across the value chain
· Working with clients, designers, and contractors to integrate the PAS 2080 framework.
· Developing clear governance processes for carbon management and setting quantifiable reduction targets.
3. Carbon footprint verification
· Supporting robust, third-party compliant GHG assessments.
· Ensuring transparent carbon reporting aligned with ISO 14064 and client net zero goals.
4. Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) and Whole Life Costing
· Conducting LCAs to evaluate and compare design, material, and construction options and produce reliable data.
· Linking carbon with cost through whole life value analysis to support low-carbon investment decisions.
The next steps
As industry necessarily transitions towards proactive carbon leadership; climate change mitigation, adaptation, and verification must be integrated holistically in infrastructure strategy to achieve net zero targets.
Whether you are delivering a rail scheme, managing a utility network, or designing low-carbon housing, now is the time to make carbon management a core capability not just a compliance checkbox.
Contact Temple to find out how we can support your infrastructure programme with lifecycle carbon assessments, PAS 2080 implementation, carbon footprint verification and climate change resilience expertise.