Quattro Design Architects, Residential Architects
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Earth Day 2023

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Nationwide architects Quattro Design
Articles, Social Responsibility, Sustainability

Earth Day is a reminder to us all that we need to do more to protect our planet, not just on Earth Day, but every day. Our commitment to sustainability reaches further than simply creating stunning, sustainable designs for our clients. We are leading the way by taking steps to become net zero as an organisation; for example, we achieved carbon neutrality by offsetting our total carbon emissions for 2021.

Quattro partnered with Earthly to achieve carbon neutral status by balancing our impact. Further, we are also an Earthly Climate Positive Business, as a result of offsetting at least 110% of our total carbon emissions for 2021. While offsetting carbon output is important, we recognise the greater need to find innovative ways to further reduce our emissions.

As such, we have implemented a number of strategies; these include a stringent Carbon Reduction Plan, a dedication to producing sustainable designs, and a network of sustainable partners. We are proud of our carbon neutrality but are always looking for new ways to improve our green credentials and are committed to becoming net zero by 2030.

Whether it’s through small changes in our daily lives or larger-scale initiatives in our businesses, we all have a role to play in protecting our planet and securing a brighter future for ourselves and future generations. By working together, we can make a real difference and create a world that is cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable.

Greener Designs

Buildings account for around 35% of total energy consumption around the world, making them significant emitters of carbon emissions. We recognise that we’re uniquely placed to make a difference using innovative practices to improve sustainability, which can also help enhance occupant health and wellbeing.

Passivhaus designs, for example, apply to the entire building process, including high-quality construction and clear, defined targets. Passivhaus is just one of the forms of sustainable architecture we employ. Our Low Carbon Design page provides more information on our sustainable architecture practices.

Our Actions So Far

We have implemented numerous policies and initiatives to reduce our carbon footprint and promote sustainability. These initiatives include:

  • Hybrid working: to reduce emissions from commuting.
  • 100% renewable energy supply to our offices: our offices are powered by 100% renewable energy.
  • Accounting for staff working from home in our carbon reporting calculations: we consider emissions from staff working from home in our carbon reporting calculations.
  • Balancing 110% of our impact – a Climate Positive Business: we offset at least 110% of our total carbon emissions for 2021.
  • Passivhaus Designer Certification: we have Passivhaus Designer Certification, which applies to the entire building process, including high-quality construction and clear, defined targets.
  • Stringent recycling processes: we have a stringent recycling process in place.
  • Digital print monitoring system: we implemented a digital print monitoring system to reduce paper waste.
  • Introduction of a new sustainability lead position: we have introduced a new sustainability lead position to ensure that sustainability is at the forefront of our operations.
  • Promotion of sustainable design: we promote sustainable design in all our projects.
  • Cycle to Work Scheme: we’re participants in the Cycle to Work Scheme to encourage cycling as a mode of transportation.
  • Investing in nature-based offset solutions: we invest in nature-based offset solutions to offset our remaining emissions.
  • An open and collaborative internal approach to climate conversations: we actively encourage open and collaborative conversations about climate change within the company.
  • Increasing use of technological solutions to reduce physical meetings: we are increasing the use of technological solutions to reduce the need for physical meetings.
  • Electric company vehicles: we use electric company vehicles to reduce emissions.
  • ISO 14001 Certified: we are ISO 14001 certified, which is an internationally recognised standard for environmental management systems.
  • Transparent, unambiguous Carbon Reduction Plan: we have a transparent and unambiguous Carbon Reduction Plan to ensure that we achieve our sustainability goals.

Whilst we’re off to a flying start, we recognise there’s more we can do, which is why we’re constantly striving to reduce our emissions, create greener, even more sustainable designs and have set a target to be net zero by 2030.