Intro to Climate Change & Carbon Reduction in the Built Environment

Understand how the built environment contributes to climate change and how sustainable buildings can lead to a low carbon future in this four module introductory on-demand course.

The built environment currently contributes around 25% of annual CO2 emissions in the UK. Therefore, improving the sustainability of the built environment is imperative if we are to avert the worst of climate change.

On this four-module on-demand course, you’ll be introduced to climate change and low carbon design in the built environment, and the different approaches to reduce carbon in buildings in the UK.

We’ll look at the frameworks, tools and resources from UKGBC and across industry that help to understand, measure and reduce the embodied and operational carbon emissions from the built environment.

By the end, you’ll feel equipped to advocate for low carbon building design and delivery, and be able to apply your knowledge to your work.

What will you achieve?

On completing this course, you’ll be able to:

• Understand key concepts relating to carbon emissions and reduction in the built environment

• Compare practices and techniques to reduce carbon in buildings globally

• Know what tools and resources are available to help drive down emissions

• Confidently apply your knowledge to your work

• Develop a plan to positively influence low-carbon outcomes within your own built environment and your role.

About the course

This self-directed online course runs every other month throughout the year. The course is a combination of reading, self-led activities, quizzes and discussion. You’ll be part of a cohort of people from across industry taking the course at the same time; you’ll have opportunities to discuss the concepts raised in the course with your peers.Alongside discussion and other activities, the UKGBC team will be on hand to support your learning and answer any questions.

Dates for this course

2 – 27 March 2026 

What does the course cover?

Through your four weeks of learning, you’ll work through the following modules:

Module 1: Context. In this module you’ll be welcomed into the course and begin your learning journey by exploring why carbon and other greenhouse gases play a central role in climate change, and the role the built environment plays in either exacerbating or mitigating this issue.

Module 2: Concepts. Here, we’ll explore key concepts relating to carbon and climate change including: net zero carbon buildings, scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions, energy performance and climate risks and resilience.

Module 3: Cases. In Module 3 you’ll delve into a variety of case studies and be given the opportunity to develop and share one of your own.

Module 4: Change. Our last module is where we take action. We will be investigating the unique roles each of us individually play in reducing the carbon of the built environment through our influence and action.

How does it work?

1. Sign-up for course dates that work for you via Eventbrite. You’ll receive a confirmation email.
2. The Friday before your course starts, we’ll add you on our learning platform – you’ll receive a notification and an email from our learning team confirming your enrolment.
3. From the course start date, you’ll be able to log in and start learning!
4. You’ll have access to the course for four weeks, but you can progress through the course at your own pace.
5. Read through all modules to compete the course and receive a certificate.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone working in the built environment and construction sectors who wants to deepen their knowledge on climate change, the impacts the built environment has carbon emissions and what we can do to bring emissions down to create sustainable built environment.

You may already be working in the built environment and be looking to upskill in the field of sustainability, or you may have knowledge of sustainability and want to apply this to the context of the built environment. If you have limited knowledge of carbon emissions as they relate to buildings, and want to learn more about sustainable design and delivery, this course will give you a solid introduction.

CPD hours: 16

Do you want to enrol a whole team?

UKGBC can offer this course to closed cohorts, running at a time of your convenience – please get in touch with our learning team to get more information: learning@UKGBC.org.

Cancellation and refund policy

Please see our website for more details on our cancellations and refunds: https://ukgbc.org/ukgbc-cancellation-and-refund-policy/