Sustainability

Architects have a huge responsibility and opportunity to make a real difference towards meeting our climate targets, with buildings and construction accounting for nearly 40% of energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, as well as having a significant impact on our natural environment.

NVDC acknowledge that urgent and fundamental change is necessary to mitigate the extent to which global warming causes irreversible change to the earth. As a signatory to Architects Declare and the RIBA 2030 challenge, we are committed to addressing the climate breakdown by taking action to reduce our carbon emissions both in the workplace and in the design and construction of our buildings.

For more than 35 years, NVDC has specialised in designing and detailing sustainable buildings throughout the UK. We endeavour to continue to exercise and develop our professional skills in minimising environmental impact, which we have outlined in the following Environmental and Sustainability Policy Commitment.

Environmental Commitment

We identify and design to suit the ongoing shift to a low-carbon economy & aim to work beyond the legislative and regulatory minimums to future-proof investments.
We actively identify and promote environmentally conscious practices across all our projects, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving energy, and minimising waste generation.
We actively explore and implement renewable energy options, energy-efficient technologies, and sustainable transportation choices across our projects.
We promote the efficient use of natural resources, such as energy and water, in our projects and daily operations, and seek opportunities to reduce consumption, optimise resource utilisation, and minimise waste generation.

Sustainable Design

We incorporate sustainable design principles across all our projects, promoting the use of renewable materials, minimising environmental impacts, promoting energy efficiency, and incorporating environmentally friendly construction techniques.
We prioritise using sustainable materials and technologies with a lower environmental impact throughout the project life cycle.
We aim to inform, enthuse and encourage our clients and design teams in best practice measures to provide buildings with low and zero carbon energy systems, and low embodied carbon, healthy, natural materials wherever possible. We endeavour to implement sustainable design solutions tailored to specific client needs.
We promote transparency in our environmental performance and seek stakeholder feedback, input, and collaboration to improve our environmental performance and promote sustainable development continuously.

Pollution Prevention

We prioritise pollution prevention by minimising waste generation, reducing air and water pollution, and actively seeking environmentally friendly alternatives across all of our projects.
We employ best practices in handling and disposing of hazardous materials and waste safely, and so in an environmentally responsible manner.

Compliance

We comply with all relevant environmental laws, regulations, and requirements. We continuously stay updated on changes in environmental legislation and take necessary measures to ensure compliance.
We monitor and assess our environmental performance regularly to identify improvement areas and promptly address any non-compliance issues.

Our Workforce Policy

NVDC is committed to providing a quality service in a manner that ensures a safe and healthy workplace for our employees and visitors and minimises our potential impact on the environment. We strive to ensure that every aspect of our business incorporates the principles of environmental sustainability and we operate in compliance with and aim to exceed all relevant environmental legislation. We recognise environmental best practices in all we do. Specifically we:

Prioritise environmental concerns and impacts in all our decision-making and activities.
Foster a culture of environmental awareness and responsibility, empowering our employees to contribute to our sustainability goals.
Provide employees training, resources, and incentives to enhance their understanding of environmental sustainability and encourage active participation in sustainable practices.
Actively seek collaboration opportunities with industry partners, environmental organisations, and relevant stakeholders to engage in knowledge-sharing and best practice exchange to promote collective action towards a sustainable future.
Regularly review and improve our environmental and sustainability practices, as well as set measurable objectives and targets, tracking progress, and continuously enhancing our sustainability performance.