Net zero in construction consultancy

The built environment is responsible for around 40% of the UK’s total carbon footprint. As national and local policy shifts, the demand for lower-carbon buildings is growing rapidly. But achieving those outcomes in ways that are practical, affordable and future-ready requires more than ambition. It requires clarity, coordination, and the right partners.

At Darren Evans, our net zero consultants work with clients across the UK to make low-carbon construction simpler, smarter, and more achievable. Whether you're a developer, architect, contractor or investor, we help you define what net zero means for your specific project and then make it real.

What Does Net Zero Mean in Practice?

There’s no single definition — which is exactly why you need expert guidance. Through our net zero consultancy, we help clients navigate the key areas of focus:

• Low-carbon design Reducing emissions through better building form, fabric, orientation and systems.
• Operational net-zero Designing buildings that offset their energy demand through renewables.
• Embodied carbon Accounting for emissions linked to materials, construction, maintenance and demolition.
• Whole life-cycle carbon assessments Capturing a building’s impact from cradle to grave, often required for major planning submissions (e.g. London Plan).
• Passivhaus and ultra-low energy frameworks Incorporating trusted standards to meet and exceed performance targets.

We work collaboratively across disciplines, delivering tailored advice and modelling support at every stage.

Why Choose Darren Evans?

We understand that every project is different and that cookie-cutter approaches rarely deliver lasting results. As a trusted net zero consultancy with deep roots in the UK construction industry, we bring both technical rigour and real-world perspective to our work.

“We help clients understand what they’re actually aiming for — because sometimes even that part is unclear at the start,” says Brandon Wipperfurth, Senior Sustainability and Energy Consultant at Darren Evans.

We go beyond checklists and help you weigh the carbon, cost and performance trade-offs of different options — from fabric upgrades and renewable systems to passive design and material choice.

Design Smarter with Data

The most successful net zero consulting projects start with early modelling and iteration. We can support you with:

• Embodied carbon calculations to inform material specification
• Energy performance modelling to guide system selection
• Overheating risk assessments to address future climate readiness
• Carbon accounting for reporting and governance
• Compliance mapping for current and future Part L requirements

We use these insights to shape design strategies that deliver meaningful reductions without unnecessary overdesign.

Understanding Diminishing Returns

One of the most overlooked aspects of net zero design is the law of diminishing returns. You can only add so much insulation or efficiency before the next improvement becomes disproportionately expensive.

“There are curves of efficiency,” says Brandon. “At some point, it becomes exponential. That’s when it’s better to shift investment elsewhere into hot water systems, better ventilation, passive solar design, or smarter controls.”

Our role as your net zero consultants is to help you see the bigger picture — and spend wisely across the project life cycle.

Legislation is Changing — Fast

Under the UK Climate Change Act, the government is legally bound to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. In response, the Future Homes Standard is introducing major changes to building regulations, particularly Part L and Part F.

From 2025 onwards, new homes will be required to emit 75–80% less carbon than those built to 2013 standards. And with the grid decarbonising, the relative impact of technologies is shifting fast. PV panels offer fewer carbon savings than before, while heat pumps and electric systems are becoming far more effective.