1. Use of AI and technology in sustainable design and reporting

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In 2025, AI and technology will become pivotal in sustainable design, transforming how organisations capture and interpret data for environmental impact. 

Traditionally, companies rely on manual tracking—scouring invoices, manually reading meters, and countless hours entering data into Excel spreadsheets.

However, technology is revolutionising this process. With smart meters and data loggers, buildings can now track energy consumption in real-time, sometimes every few seconds. This data captured is automatically transferred to digital dashboards, offering deep insights into daily usage patterns and identifying opportunities for greater efficiency.

Imagine a building that can automatically adjust lighting and HVAC systems based on occupancy data and climatic conditions—AI-driven systems are already beginning to make this a reality. By integrating real-time data with AI, buildings will optimise energy use dynamically, reducing energy wastage and supporting net-zero goals through energy reduction.

AI’s role goes beyond energy data; it also enhances sustainable product selection. At TSK, we’re developing an AI tool to streamline the environmental compliance review for materials and furniture, which will speed up project timelines and secure higher ratings in certifications like SKA and BREEAM. 

AI in sustainable design is all about moving from static data to actionable insights, helping companies make informed decisions based on accurate, real-time data which then drives meaningful change and ultimately builds more sustainable workplaces.

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2. Launch of the UK Net Zero Building Standard

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In 2025, the UK will officially implement its first Net Zero Building Standard, which aims to bring clarity and accountability to sustainable construction. Until now, the absence of a unified definition for a "net zero building" has led to varied interpretations, allowing companies to set their own standards and justify net-zero claims on individual terms.

This new standard will change that by providing a consistent framework, helping clients, designers, and site teams work together towards a verified net-zero outcome.

The standard will address essential areas, including upfront carbon emissions from materials, fossil-fuel-free mandates, limits on operational energy, and targets for on-site renewable energy generation. Alongside these requirements, projects must report on their carbon metrics and sustainability actions, bringing transparency to each building's environmental impact.

This consistency has big implications. Investors can trust that a building labelled as net zero truly meets rigorous sustainability criteria, and clients can incorporate net-zero commitments into their corporate strategies with confidence.

Plus, as planning bodies consider these benchmarks, this standard could influence future local and national policies, embedding net-zero targets more firmly into the regulatory landscape.

While the standard's first version is set to launch in late 2025, it will evolve to meet the sector's shifting needs. This means that future projects may move beyond BREEAM ratings and focus on achieving net-zero certification—a challenging but worthwhile aim as the industry progresses toward carbon-free buildings.

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3. Update to the SKA Rating good practice measures 

The SKA Rating system for offices is undergoing a significant update, the first since 2013, to align with modern sustainability goals and industry practices. This update reflects how far the construction sector has advanced in areas such as waste management, circular economy principles, and carbon reduction.

One notable shift is moving away from waste diversion from landfill—a key focus in the early 2010s. Today, landfill diversion is often achieved as standard due to widespread industry adoption of incineration and other practices. Instead, the updated measures will emphasise maximising reuse, recyclability, and designing for disassembly. This approach encourages creating products and materials that are easier to repair, recycle, or break down into components, fostering a circular economy mindset.

The updated measures aim to:

1. Support Net Zero goals: By prioritising operational and embodied carbon reductions, the measures will align with the UK’s net-zero objectives, helping to standardise practices across the sector.

2. Encourage circular economy practices: Beyond reducing waste, the measures will nudge the industry toward innovations that support reuse and sustainable manufacturing. For example, future SKA ratings may require higher levels of recycled content in products, driving manufacturers to innovate or risk losing market demand.

The updated criteria are currently being reviewed by industry experts, with the new measures expected to roll out by late 2025. These changes will set a new baseline for good practice, ensuring SKA remains relevant and impactful in promoting sustainability across office fit-outs.

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4. Enhanced sustainability regulation coming into force

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The drive towards sustainability is accelerating as enhanced regulations come into effect, reshaping how buildings are designed, refurbished, and managed. These regulatory changes and upcoming industry milestones emphasise the shift from strategy to action.

‍Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES)

‍The MEES regulations are set to tighten requirements for Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) in commercial properties which are to be leased.

• By 2028, all commercial buildings must achieve at least an EPC rating of C  to be leased.
• By 2030, this requirement will rise to an EPC rating of B to be leased.

This shift is already influencing investors and property owners, who are upgrading their buildings to meet these requirements.

We have also seen demand for grade A office space far outstripping supply and therefore building owners have a role to play to both meet demand for energy efficient buildings and to make the UK’s commercial office space more energy efficient.

‍Local Net Zero deadlines

‍While the UK has set a 2050 target for achieving net zero, some cities, like Greater Manchester, have accelerated their timelines to 2038. These targets create medium-term urgency for developers, property owners, and investors in these regions, as decisions made today must align with stricter sustainability standards just over a decade away.‍

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5. Acceleration of companies taking action to reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions

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There is a growing consensus that 2025 will mark the start of a new phase: moving from strategy formulation to tangible implementation. These changes signal a critical moment for the construction and property sectors, where the conversation must pivot from "what we plan to do" to "what we have done." 

The transition from strategy to tangible action is well underway as businesses focus on addressing Scope 1 and 2 emissions. These emissions, which arise directly from company operations and purchased energy, are key areas for decarbonisation efforts.

‍Scope 1: Emissions from direct operations

Scope 1 emissions include on-site fossil fuel use (such as gas-fired central heating) and company-owned vehicles. Companies are increasingly adopting measures such as:

• Fossil fuel phase-outs: Transitioning to electric or renewable heating systems to eliminate gas consumption.
• Fleet decarbonisation: Replacing internal combustion engine vehicles with electric ones.

Scope 2: emissions from purchased energy

Scope 2 emissions focus on energy procurement. Businesses are implementing innovative solutions, including:

• Renewable energy tariffs: procuring energy from renewable sources. However, as described, these "light green" options may only partially reflect genuine renewable energy use.
• Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs): agreements with renewable energy producers, such as wind or solar farms, that provide a direct and traceable source of green energy. These "dark green" solutions ensure a deeper commitment to sustainability.‍
• On-site energy generation: installing renewable energy infrastructure like solar panels to reduce reliance on grid energy, coupled with battery storage solutions to enable energy to be stored and used during peak energy periods.

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Looking ahead

In 2025 and beyond, companies will face growing expectations to demonstrate concrete results. The transition from "planning" to "delivering" will not only fulfil regulatory and stakeholder demands but also contribute significantly to global decarbonisation goals. Businesses that take proactive steps now will be well-positioned to lead the charge in this critical transformation.

I look forward to keeping you up to date with more workplace sustainability tips, tools and insights throughout the year. If you are looking to accelerate your workplace decarbonisation strategy or you are a landlord and require support aligning your assets with net zero regulations, please reach out to us here.