As the practice is certified as net zero for direct emissions, LOM looks at why this is only the beginning, and what’s next on the path to greater sustainability.
Last year, LOM made a commitment to reach net zero as a business. We can now confirm that we have passed the first milestone, as we have been certified as net zero in scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
SBTi is a project helping businesses to tackle their carbon footprint. Partnered with the UN Global Compact and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), it helps companies define targets in line with the desire to keep global warming at or below 1.5°C compared with pre-industrial levels – going even further than the 2°C set out at the Paris Climate Agreement.
“Becoming a net zero studio means practicing what we preach, while admitting we might not yet have all the answers.”
Reaching net zero for scopes 1 and 2 means that LOM is net zero relating to all direct GHG emissions produced by the company (eg. gas boilers or fleet vehicles), as well as purchasing all the practice’s electricity from renewable sources. This is an important achievement, and something to be proud of, but it doesn’t mean the job is done.
Scope 3 is where the real challenge begins, as this covers all other indirect emissions not controlled directly by the practice, such as business travel or the supply chain of the products we use. This is difficult to quantify and reduce, but we are working closely with SBTi and consultants Hydrock to make sure we’re moving in the right direction as fast as we can.
As an architecture and design practice our commitment needs to go further than that, too. To us, becoming a net zero studio means practicing what we preach, while admitting we might not yet have all the answers. We’re responsible for advising clients in the UK and abroad on their carbon footprints, existing and proposed. So we’ll be working with our clients to help make our projects as sustainable as possible, while also continuing to learn and develop as a practice – one committed to building the skills required to create a more sustainable future.
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