Our Impact

In the face of issues like the climate emergency and biodiversity loss, we believe that solutions can be engineered that allow us to coexist with nature. Thoughtful, considered and regenerative design can help communities, as well as the planet, thrive. 

Because people and the planet are not separate issues, they are one, our role as engineers is a privileged one, giving us the capability to transition into a balanced human and natural environment. Offering lifestyles that sit within our ecological limits, yet give us all a chance to prosper. 

From major infrastructure projects, city planning, transport networks and developments, we work with clients to lower their carbon, align with UN Sustainable Development Goals, and consider how engineering decisions can influence change at a global level. 

In 2020, we became a B Corp and proudly manifest the values that this status suggests. We consider the impact of our work on both the environment (such as carbon, biodiversity and water) and society (such as health, wellbeing, prosperity). We develop system thinking that considers ecology, poverty and developmental challenges. And we look for solutions that promote community, improve the resilience of nature, and offer opportunities for regeneration. 

The Wider Trust

The Useful Simple Trust is committed to leadership on climate action, through our projects and the way we operate our business.

In line with best practice, we have calculated our corporate carbon footprint and set official science-based targets through the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which aims to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C.

Our near-term net zero company-wide emissions reduction target is to reduce scope 1 and scope 2 GHG emissions by 46% by 2030 from a 2019 baseline year, and to measure and reduce our scope 3 emissions.

By signing up to the SBTi we have joined the Race to Zero (a UN-backed global campaign to take rigorous and immediate action to halve emissions by 2030).  Our targets are recognized on the Science Based Targets initiative website as well as the We Mean Business website and SME Climate Hub.

As an SME offering professional services, based in rented offices, our corporate carbon footprint is small.  Our biggest opportunity to influence carbon reduction is through our design and consultancy work in the built environment.  Through our GET SET ZERO approach, we are supporting all sorts of clients to accelerate their journey to net zero and to design buildings, masterplans and infrastructure projects with low whole life carbon emissions. Check out our project case studies for more information.

How we improve

We push for positive change, and our four impact pillars help us understand and improve our performance with every project.

We deliver the positive impact our pillars demand by focusing on what matters. That could be working closely with the Environment Agency to develop long-term flood and climate resilience; developing sustainability statements or whole-life carbon assessments; or simply minimising carbon and costs through innovating new design and manufacturing ideas. Engineering makes an impact. We do our best to make that impact a positive one.