Category: Sustainability

Progress and Ambition in Construction

We’re proud to reflect on the significant progress we’ve made in embedding sustainability into the heart of our construction business and project delivery.

Sustainability isn’t just a requirement—it’s a responsibility we embrace across our operations, working closely with clients, the supply chain, communities, and the wider construction industry to drive meaningful, measurable change.

Key Sustainability Milestones in the Last 12 Months

We’ve taken major steps toward our net-zero carbon and energy efficiency goals:

• Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) Phase 3
  Completed our Phase 3 report, identifying energy efficiency improvements across our business.
• Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) & PPN 06/21 Carbon Reduction Plan
  Published annual emissions verified to ISO 14064-1 greenhouse gas reporting standards.
• Embodied Carbon Assessment for Greenstone Forest School
  Achieved RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge targets, demonstrating our ability to deliver low-carbon building designs.
• ESOS Action Plan Developed
  Laying the foundations for ESOS Phase 4 with a robust, forward-looking energy efficiency strategy.
• Maintained ISO Certifications
  Continued certification to ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) and ISO 50001 (Energy Management), reflecting best practice and ongoing improvement.
• Head Office Refurbishment and EPC Upgrade from E to A
  Delivered operational energy improvements, contributing to reduced carbon emissions.
• Step Energy: Driving Renewable Impact
  Our renewables and decarbonisation business, Step Energy, generated an annual yield of 353,618 kWh through its renewable energy projects—cutting 96.84 tons of CO₂ emissions and accelerating our clients’ progress toward net-zero goals.

Our Sustainability Vision Going Forward

As we look ahead, our sustainability strategy remains bold, innovative, and rooted in action:

• Embodied Carbon Assessments Across More Projects
  Facilitating hotspot analysis to reduce high-carbon elements in both design and construction phases.
• Collaborating to Tackle High-Carbon Materials
  Working with clients and supply chain partners to develop innovative low-carbon solutions.
• Driving Decarbonisation Through Engagement
  Including speaking at events like Derby City Council’s Decarbonising Construction conference to share knowledge and foster collaboration.
• PAS 2030 & PAS 2035 Certification
  Supporting high-quality retrofit and energy efficiency measures aligned with industry standards.
• Annual Third-Party Verified GHG Emissions Reporting (ISO 14064)
  Enhancing credibility and transparency of our emissions data to support informed decisions.
• Investment in Renewable Energy and Low-Carbon Site Power
  Installing solar PV panels and launching our own battery-powered Stepnell Cubes to cut carbon emissions on-site.
• Transition to a Fully Hybrid/EV Company Car Fleet
  Supporting our transport decarbonisation goals and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Let’s Build a Greener Future Together

At Stepnell, sustainability goes beyond compliance – it’s about leading change in the built environment, reducing our environmental footprint, and supporting a net-zero future.

We’re excited to partner with clients, supply chain collaborators, and industry stakeholders to push the boundaries of sustainable construction and deliver buildings that benefit people, communities, and the planet.

Interested in collaborating or learning more? Get in touch—we’d love to connect and explore opportunities to create a greener, more resilient future together.