YORhub’s Performance & Improvement Manager, Mike Raven, presented on the Carbon Reduction Code at the Institution of Civil Engineers North East Climate Action Group and DARe Conference on 25 February 2026. Mike spoke in his capacity as National Sustainability Lead for the National Association of Construction Frameworks (NACF), highlighting the role that frameworks can play in accelerating carbon reduction across the construction sector.

YORhub is proud to be working in long-term partnership with the Cambridge Centre for Smart Infrastructure and Construction (CSIC) to support and promote the Carbon Reduction Code for the Built Environment.

The Carbon Reduction Code provides a simple, consistent framework for organisations across the built environment to assess their carbon reduction ambitions, policies and actions. By signing up, organisations make a public commitment to reaching net zero by 2045, backed by annual reporting, accountability and collaboration to share learning and drive progress across the industry.

The Code is closely aligned with key national initiatives and standards, including the Construction Leadership Council’s Construct Zero programme, the Construction Playbook, the UK Green Building Council’s Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap, PAS 2080, and Procurement Policy Note 06/21. This alignment helps organisations demonstrate that their approach to carbon reduction is both credible and consistent with government and industry expectations.

During his presentation, Mike set out the case for signing up to the Code, as well as the practical process involved. Through the NACF, all construction framework providers will be signing up to the Carbon Reduction Code and, in turn, requiring their framework suppliers to do the same.

This collective approach is intended to create a step change across the industry — establishing a clear and consistent expectation that organisations working in construction should have a publicly available, credible plan for reaching net zero. By embedding the Code within framework delivery, YORhub and its partners aim to support meaningful action on carbon reduction, rather than compliance alone.

To this end, we are encouraging all current suppliers to sign up to the code – and many have done so – and going forward our new frameworks will require signing up to the code.

Contractors already committed to the CRC – statements:

Arcus FM

Arcus FM is proud to be signed up to the Carbon Reduction Code for the Built Environment at the ‘Pledger’ level. As we were already aligned with several of the code’s commitments, we were keen formalise our commitment. Arcus FM has set net zero targets, validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), for 2040 and published this commitment in the public domain in 2022. We report our progress towards these targets annually in our Sustainability Impact Report. Our senior leadership team is actively involved in our sustainability journey through our six-monthly Sustainability Committee, chaired by our CEO. Arcus is working to increase our commitment to the code and progress to Signatory level.

BakerHicks – Design and Engineering Consultancy

At BakerHicks, we’re proud to be a signatory to the Carbon Reduction Code – a commitment that reflects our dedication to sustainability and climate action across every stage of our work. Our commitment to the Code demonstrates leadership in low-carbon delivery and supports our clients in achieving their climate goals. It’s part of how we help create smarter, greener, and more resilient places for people and communities.

“Signing up to the Carbon Reduction Code reflects our commitment to our clients and our industry. It demonstrates that we are not only supporting their net‑zero ambitions, but actively holding ourselves accountable for reducing carbon in every project we deliver. This is an important step on our journey to becoming a truly low‑carbon business.” – Mairi Murray, Head of Sustainability

Morgan Sindall

Morgan Sindall Construction have achieved and are committed to Champion Level status under the Carbon Reduction Code [CRC], the code aligns with our own Just Transition aspirations to actively support and bring our supply chain with us on our carbon reduction journey.

The CRC provides a much-needed vehicle for driving a clear and critically consistent framework for carbon understanding, action, accountability and ultimately reduction. We are actively utilising the framework to support our Just Transition strategy, as a large tier 1 contractor we understand that to meet both external and internal carbon commitments we will need to use our influence and resource with our supply chain to collaboratively drive down carbon emissions during project delivery and the entire building lifecycle.

Lindum Group

“Becoming a Pledger to the Carbon Reduction Code was a natural step in our journey toward achieving our Net Zero goal. We found the process to be a valuable exercise in transparency, helping us move beyond simple compliance toward meaningful, reportable action. Being part of this collective approach alongside YORhub ensures that our carbon reduction strategy remains consistent with government expectations while allowing us to share progress with our industry peers. We encourage all suppliers to apply and help create a clear, unified path for the construction sector.” – Steven Duckering, Group Framework Manager, Lindum Group

Tilbury Douglas

“The Carbon Reduction Code is an important step for Tilbury Douglas. It reflects the structured way we measure, manage and reduce carbon across our projects, while strengthening transparency through clear and consistent reporting.

Importantly, it strengthens our ability to meet evolving client expectations and ensures carbon reduction is embedded in how Tilbury Douglas makes decisions across design, procurement and delivery. By aligning with recognised standards, it also supports ongoing innovation in low carbon methods, materials and technologies, and underlines our commitment to a credible  pathway to net zero.”

Joshua Farnsworth, Head of Sustainability, Tilbury Douglas Construction

To learn more about the code and the other measures YORhub are taking to embed sustainability in your projects, contact Mike Raven – [email protected]