Climate & Nature
Transforming underused land responsibly to deliver connected, low carbon and resilient places where nature thrives.
Our Approach
- Realising our science-based targets
- Transitioning to Net Zero
- Nature and resilient places
- Managing waste and resources
- Managing water
- Environmental management
Science-based targets
Having achieved our initial scopes 1 and 2 science-based target seven years early, we have secured validation from the Science Based Targets initiative for updated near and long-term. These challenge us to further reduce our emissions in the short-term, and keeps us on a course to becoming a net zero carbon business by 2045.
We publicly report our emissions and progress against our SBTs on an annual basis as detailed on our ESG performance page.
Our emissions reporting methodology and details of the independent limited assurance received can be found within our Climate and Nature-Related Disclosures.
Net Zero Transition
Reducing Embodied Carbon
We are undertaking Embodied Carbon Assessments to identify reductions to meet our embodied carbon limits for every new project. Our approach focuses on three main areas: measurement; design; and procurement and supply chain engagement.
We have developed a supply chain embodied carbon strategy and are actively working with manufacturers of high impact materials - such as concrete, steel, aluminium, glass, and bricks and blocks - to understand their decarbonisation maturity, influence their journey, improve availability of carbon data, and establish Group-wide agreements to access lower carbon products.
Alongside engagement specifically on embodied carbon, we have also reviewed the materials within our Common Materials strategy to understand their impact.
We will:
- preferentially partner with companies that share our commitment to climate action and are reducing emissions within their own operations.
Low Carbon and Resilient Homes
We are committed to deliver homes to high levels of energy efficiency which are Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) A or B rated. Our approach focuses on fabric efficiency, zero carbon ready homes and demand management.
We will:
- reduce the in-use lifetime carbon emissions of our homes by focusing on the efficiency of the building fabric and then incorporating the right low carbon technologies for each site, in line with the Future Homes Standard.
- ensure our homes are resilient to future climate change through design by undertaking overheating assessments and incorporating appropriate adaptation measures.
Low Carbon and Energy Efficient Operations
We are committed to reducing emissions from our direct operations (scope 1 and 2) across our sites, offices, and sales suites, together with our activities as a landlord through Berkeley Living.
Focusing on low-carbon technology and cleaner fuels, we will:
- continue to encourage our site teams to increase their use of low-carbon machinery, such as hybrid or fully electric alternatives to commonly used plant.
- actively seek ways to reduce total energy consumption.
Nature and Resilient Places
Our focus on brownfield regeneration and the remediation of contaminated sites is inherently sustainable, returning people and environmental value to underused land.
We will continue our established approach to Biodiversity Net Gain on every site. We go beyond mandatory UK requirements by favouring on-site solutions, for the benefit of local communities. We continue to use our Blue & Green Infrastructure Guide to incorporate nature-based solutions into plans for developments, and to create places that are resilient to the anticipated effects of climate change, such as increased flood risk.
We have begun broadening our approach to cover wider aspects of the environment, such carbon sequestration and access to green space.
We will:
- engage and upskill our managing agents and landscape contractors, to ensure the long-term success of BNG enhancements on our sites.
- test the use of technology to assist us in identifying biodiversity and managing records over the long-term.
Waste and Resources
We strive to embed efficient waste management and resource use within our operations. We want to continue to reduce our impact, drive efficiencies and innovate to reduce the burden on the environment, whilst also enabling the business to reduce operational costs from the use of fewer materials and costs associated with waste collection and disposal.
Teams work in accordance with our Waste Action Plan to prevent and reuse waste, engage with the supply chain and monitor levels of waste produced.
We will:
- continue to reduce our construction waste intensity.
- continue to maximise the construction waste that is reused, recycled or recovered.
- continue to source certified timber and wood-based products.
Water
We recognise that water is a key resource that needs to be preserved. Our water security programme improves upon building regulation requirements for the internal water efficiency of our homes. Water budgets are set for our sites, offices and sales suites driving our teams to promote water efficiency measures.
We will:
- continue to reduce water consumption wherever possible across our operations and in the homes we build.
Environmental Management
We prioritise reducing the environmental impacts of our operations. We implement stringent arrangements to prevent water, ground and air pollution, as well as noise and odour on site. Our approach to environmental management is underpinned by our Sustainability Management System (SMS), including minimum standards and procedures relating to how business activities are to be managed, from planning through to construction, marketing and handover.
We take a risk-based approach to environmental management, focusing on sites with the highest environmental risks e.g. nearby watercourses.
We will:
- continue to implement good practice measures to reduce our environmental impact.
Latest Highlights
Campaign supporter
Get nature positive
Places and nature steering committee
Future Homes Hub
CDP Corporate A List 2025
Climate Change and Water Security
Latest News
Milton Keynes Residents to Benefit from New Homes and More Wildlife
Berkeley and partners visited Great Linford to see how Eastbrook Village helps nature recovery and new homes.
Berkeley Recognised With Double ‘A’ Score for Action on Climate Change and Water Security
Berkeley Group has been awarded a place on CDP's prestigious 'A List' for both Climate Change and Water Security.
Berkeley Publishes 20-Year Transition Plan to Achieve Net Zero
Berkeley has today published its Net Zero Transition Plan; a 20-year roadmap.