KDL Declares Climate Emergency

In July this year, Kingscote Design Limited (KDL) added its name to the UK Structural Engineers Declare Climate & Biodiversity Emergency declaration. A total of 245 UK structural engineering organisations have made the declaration.  

‘Engineers Declare’ is part of the ‘Built Environment Declares Climate and Biodiversity Emergency’ campaign where professionals from across the built environment, from architects to building contractors, acknowledge the extreme seriousness of our situation. The declaration is a public commitment to positive change and structural engineering practices are accordingly aligning their business strategies.  

"For everyone working in the field of engineering, meeting the needs of our societies without breaching the earth’s ecological boundaries will demand a paradigm shift in our behaviour. If we are to reduce and eventually reverse the environmental damage we are causing, we will need to re-imagine our work as indivisible components of a larger, constantly regenerating and self-sustaining system," Engineers Declare states.

"Such a transformation cannot happen without a wide-ranging declaration of intent, followed by committed action, international cooperation and open source knowledge sharing. A united declaration will support more effective lobbying of policy makers and governments to show leadership and commit resources. The next few years will be decisive in shaping our collective future - now is the moment to act."

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“Structural engineers in the UK can influence up to 57% of the embodied carbon in a new building. It is crucial that we recognise that the design decisions we make can have a very significant positive (or negative) impact.

Patrick Sharkey, Managing Director of Kingscote Design Limited

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"KDL is committed to reaching net zero by 2050. We have therefore committed to offering a lower carbon design solution to clients wherever possible," Sharkey continues.

"Whether you are a client, contractor, designer or supplier, reaching net zero is arguably one of the biggest challenges we all face in the construction industry. From my perspective, there are a number of strategies that can help us to reach net zero. These include improving design integration, promoting the integration of design and construction and encouraging earlier engagement of the design supply chain on projects. KDL also promote circular design principles and the efficient use and re-use of materials."

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R&D Initiatives

KDL is involved in a range of R&D initiatives to drive forward reductions in embodied carbon in structures through design. These include:

• Lean design 

• The appropriate use of cement replacement materials such as GGBS in concrete structures

• Optimising PT slab design

• RC/PT alternatives to solid concrete flat slab

• RC/PT alternatives to steel framed superstructures for commercial buildings

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This year, KDL has been involved in sharing its expertise and ideas with the sector as part of its commitment to positive change. It has also used post-tensioning solutions across several projects to further reduce embodied carbon beyond the original baseline and aspirational targets for the equivalent reinforced concrete frame (with reinforced concrete superstructure floor slabs).

The team's innovative approach to post-tensioning at Blossom Street, which involved reducing concrete material requirements and embodied carbon emissions, was recognised by the Post Tensioning Association, winning CONSTRUCT's 2022 PTA Award.

This work will continue into 2023 and beyond.