Net zero carbon roadmap for Institute of Acoustics members: A symphony of sustainability

As the global community intensifies its efforts to combat climate change, the IOA has set ambitious targets to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050 or sooner.

By Peter Rogers, FIOA, Lead for sustainably for IOA Council, and of Sustainable Acoustics

This roadmap is aligned with that of the UK Government and this article is based on a recent talk I gave, Symphony of Sustainability to the ANC and the introductory sustainability article published in the July/August 2024 issue of Acoustics Bulletin. It is intended to show IOA members how they can align their practices with these goals, contributing to a more sustainable future for the acoustics industry, those they serve and beyond to a future that is worth living. The focus in this article is net zero and how to get there.

Understanding the challenge
The acoustics sector faces unique challenges in reducing its direct operational carbon footprint, from energy-drawing equipment to travel for on-site assessments and the energy used in facilities. This does mean that there are numerous areas where emissions can be cut. By following this roadmap, members can play a crucial role in the Institute’s and the acoustics industry’s journey towards net zero and using this as a spring board towards regenerative design.

Key milestones
To align with the IOA’s goals, members should aim for the following milestones:
1. 50% emissions reduction by 2027;
2. carbon neutral operations by 2030;
3. 75% absolute emissions reduction by 2040; and
4. net zero emissions by 2050 or sooner.

These targets provide a framework for progressive action, allowing members to make steady progress towards sustainability.

Step 1: Getting your own house in order (2024-2025)
The first and most crucial step for any IOA member is to address their direct operational impacts. This does not include the embodied carbon impacts – this comes in the later stages. Tackling the direct operational baseline involves:
a. Baseline assessment:
• conduct a fearless comprehensive carbon footprint analysis of your operations, unpicking each element as thoroughly as you can;
• use online tools or established frameworks like B-Corp, Boardroom 2030, or NEPC, Engineers 2030 Vision and toolbox to assist you to do the analysis; and
• cover all aspects, including office and laboratory energy use, transportation, equipment, and waste management.

b. Develop a net zero roadmap:
• set ambitious targets for reducing direct impacts and what you directly use in your supply chains (batteries, goods, paper supplies etc). Note: there will be much ‘low hanging fruit’ – pick it all until you’ve identified the more difficult elements. Create short-term, medium- term and long-term goals aligned with IOA milestones for tackling the remaining impacts (such as transport, buildings, renewable energy production).

c. Achieve carbon neutrality:
• implement responsible carbon offsetting as soon as possible for twice your footprint to give a good margin for error. You can identify those through the UN, but your justification for this is important to the credibility for this step; and
• aim for carbon neutrality well before the 2030 target.

d. Continuous monitoring and reporting:
• implement robust systems for tracking emissions and energy use monthly to report on annually;
• conduct annual carbon footprint assessments; and
• share progress reports by publishing them on your website and sharing with the IOA and other stakeholders to show how you are doing proactively.

Step 2: Focus on energy, heating, and cooling (2025-2027)
Once you’ve addressed your direct impacts in step 1, focus on optimising energy use in what you do:
a. Energy efficiency:
• conduct energy audits of your facilities;
• upgrade to LED lighting and energy- efficient appliances;
• implement smart meters and energy management systems; and
• optimise HVAC systems.

b. Renewable energy transition:
• transition away from gas and oil to electricity-based energy for all forms of your operation;
• switch to a renewable energy provider (there are many 100% green tariffs available and this is the quickest way to slash your carbon footprint);
• consider on-site renewable energy generation, such as solar PV panels; and
• explore power purchase agreements (PPAs) for larger operations.

Step 3: Sustainable transportation (2026-2028)
Review and revise your transportation policies:
a. implement a sustainable travel policy favouring public transport and electric vehicles (hire purchase arrangements with return before the balloon payments means the embodied energy of the car remains the responsibility of the service provider, not you);
b. where fossil fuel vehicles are still in service and where possible, encourage remote working as part of the mix to minimise the need for travel;
c. invest in good video conferencing spaces and technology to maximise the quality of the experience and minimise the need for travel (a change accelerated by Covid-19); and
d. if you have a company fleet, transition to electric or hybrid vehicles, as per a).

Step 4: Material specifications and supply chains (2027-2029)
Focusing on doing ‘more with less’ is a fundamental idea of sustainability, but a challenge which begins with the running of the operation and extends to influencing the service offered, collaborations engaged with and work that is done. Here are some ways to achieve this:
a. optimise embodied and operational carbon versus acoustic benefit, and quantify this for clients so they have a choice;
b. specify low embodied carbon alternatives over traditional materials, so that clients can have a clear alternative, which may in many cases also be cost efficient. This added value helps them to reduce their carbon footprint on a project by project basis. You can try to objectively capture the effects of your interventions;
c. challenge your supply chains to demonstrate their pathway to net zero, and consider a timescale beyond which a preference will be shown to those on the path; and
d. where they are being considered, flag up suppliers who cannot provide evidence of a net zero path and sustainability efforts to clients.

Step 5: Innovate in acoustic solutions (2028-2030)
Leverage your expertise to develop low-carbon acoustic solutions:
a. research, develop or champion emerging sustainable acoustic materials;
b. design or select energy-efficient systems that balance noise control aiming to make these workable as part of the holistic design;
c. explore the use of passive acoustic design to reduce energy needs in buildings and proactively address the risk of overheating via openable windows acknowledging the challenge of doing so in noisy environments; and
d. integrate biodiversity considerations into acoustic designs (e.g. noise barriers, roof construction, or façade finishes that double as wildlife habitats).

Step 6: Address urban and rural acoustics (2029-2035)
With the Government’s huge push to sustainable urban development and rural preservation:
a. design healthy homes to work effectively in their noise environments;
b. balance noise mitigation with the needs of the night-time economy in towns and cities particularly;
c. identify and protect areas of relative tranquility in urban and rural settings, using noise policy as the justification; and
d. enhance soundscapes where possible to improve people’s quality of lives and prosperity.

Step 7: Support biodiversity and ecological health (2030-2040)
Integrate acoustic expertise with ecological considerations:
a. design noise control measures that also increase wildlife habitat and improve soundscapes;
b. monitor soundscape diversity before and after interventions; and
c. contribute to bio net gain initiatives at local, regional, and national levels.

Step 8: Tackle noise poverty (2035-2045)
Address the societal inequality and impacts created by noise pollution, the ‘neglected pollutant’:
a. prioritise reducing noise pollution from transportation sources;
b. design schemes to bring people away from exposure to dangerous noise levels; and
c. advocate for good acoustic design in urban planning and building regulations.

Step 9: Embrace creative acoustics (2040-2050)
Push the boundaries of acoustic design:
a. use acoustic science creatively in both indoor and outdoor environments;
b. explore soundscape composition as a design element; and
c. integrate acoustics with other sustainability initiatives for holistic environmental design.

Step 10: Design for prosperity (ongoing)
Throughout your journey to net zero, strive to create value beyond just reducing emissions:
a. achieve triple wins on projects: economic, societal, and ecological benefits;
b. develop case studies that could inform national infrastructure projects; and
c. scale successful approaches to amplify their positive impact.

Conclusion
The path to net zero is a collective effort that requires commitment, innovation and perseverance from the top to the bottom. By following this roadmap, IOA members can deliver on their obligation to the Institute, transform operations and ultimately begin a significant contribution to a sustainable future. As a minimum it is critical to focus on steps one to three from this article in order to then unlock the ability to go on and explore what more can be done through steps four to 10.

In my address to the ANC conference, I said: “Your company is there to make profits, but that is like living only to breathe. What is your company’s purpose?” As acousticians, our purpose should be to use our expertise to make life better and more likely to succeed not less. By creating a symphony from the things that make up sustainability, members can have effects that resonate far beyond our immediate field.

By embracing this challenge, IOA members can act to ensure that the future of acoustics is not only secure but sustainable, contributing to a healthier planet for generations to come so act now.