How architects, developers and planners can integrate nature-positive strategies and low-carbon design into their projects The architecture and development industry is seeing increasing sustainability regulations, with Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) standards now mandated for planning application approvals, as well as ongoing pressure from customers and stakeholders to report the carbon emissions linked with building projects and organisational operations. To stay ahead, architects, developers and planners can integrate nature-positive strategies and low-carbon design into their projects. Biodiversity Net Gain: the compliance challenge BNG is now a mandatory requirement in England, requiring a 10% net gain in biodiversity post-development. While BNG assessments aid UK biodiversity conservation efforts, many in the industry face tight timelines and the need for ecological sign-off in order to secure planning permission. How to meet BNG requirements: • Baseline Habitat Survey: Assessing habitat types to establish a baseline biodiversity measurement. • Biodiversity Hierarchy Analysis: Using the baseline survey to identify hedgerows, habitats and watercourses that can be saved and/or enhanced for conservation and enhancement strategies. • Implementation: Developing custom BNG plans, including habitat restoration and sustainable land management. • Ecologist Approval: Receiving approval from a qualified ecologist to achieve sign-off from the local council and gain planning permission. Case study: Leicester College Abbey Park Campus Moss Architecture Interiors Ltd required proof of a 10% biodiversity increase for a new training facility’s planning application. Tunley Environmental conducted an independent small site BNG assessment, incorporating a rain garden, native tree planting, and a neutral grassland mix into the design plans. The project achieved a 21.11% increase in biodiversity units for area habitats and a 16.85% increase for hedgerows, far exceeding the required 10% and ensuring planning approval. With expert-led assessments, architects can streamline compliance and incorporate sustainability from the ground up.  Carbon footprint assessments: reducing impact Beyond biodiversity, carbon footprint assessments are crucial for architects to measure and reduce both embodied and operational carbon in their projects and their businesses. How to implement carbon reduction into your projects and organisation: • Baseline Assessment: Establishing a starting point for emissions reduction. • Roadmap to Net Zero: Creating strategies to reduce emissions across design and construction. • PAS 2080 Compliance: Assessing your project delivery against PAS 2080 standard requirements, closely monitoring carbon emissions throughout the project and effectively managing the value chain and your role within it. • The RIBA Plan of Work: By following the eight RIBA stages for building works, conducting a whole life cycle assessment (WLCA) at each project stage date enables far more potential for reducing impact on the built environment. Case study: PORR’s High-Speed Two project PORR, a leading European construction firm, partnered with Tunley Environmental to achieve PAS 2080 accreditation for a High-Speed Two (HS2) infrastructure project. They required a carbon model identifying embedded carbon and reduction strategies. With Tunley’s expert-led analysis, PORR successfully reduced emissions by 177 t CO2 per linear km of single track. Andrea Dimboiu, project manager for PORR, praised Tunley’s approach: “Tunley were very proactive and willing to go the extra mile.” This highlights how carbon-conscious strategies can be integrated into projects for both compliance and real sustainability impact.  Future-proofing projects with sustainability expertise As BNG and carbon reduction regulations evolve, architects can proactively adapt. Partnering with experts like Tunley Environmental ensures compliance while seamlessly integrating sustainability. Architects navigating BNG and carbon complexities can benefit from expert-led assessments that enhance both regulatory compliance and long-term project sustainability. 2025-04-08 AJ Contributor comment and share