Supporting Climate Action Through Global Projects & Integrated Design Strategy

At Porter Robson, we recognise that as architects and designers, we have a vital role to play in tackling the climate crisis. Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond designing low-energy buildings — we’re proud to support climate-positive initiatives that make a difference both locally and globally.

Through our partnership with Ecologi, we contribute to impactful environmental projects that protect ecosystems, restore natural habitats, and reduce carbon emissions. This reflects our core values as a practice: to design responsibly, act sustainably, and help create a better future.

Our Partnership with Ecologi

Porter Robson has teamed up with Ecologi, a leading platform for climate action, to offset our business carbon footprint and support reforestation and carbon reduction projects worldwide. Every month, our contributions fund certified climate projects that align with international standards such as Gold Standard and Verified Carbon Standard (VCS).

Our growing Porter Robson Ecologi forest already includes hundreds of trees planted in reforestation projects across the globe. These trees not only capture carbon but also help restore biodiversity, improve soil health, and provide benefits to local communities.

You can view our progress and impact here: Porter Robson Ecologi Profile

Supporting the Protection of the Matavén Forest

One of the key climate projects we’re backing is the protection of the Matavén Forest in eastern Colombia. This remarkable initiative focuses on safeguarding over 1.15 million hectares of tropical forest — an area vital for biodiversity and carbon storage.

By helping to prevent deforestation in this region, the project avoids an estimated 3.6 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year. In addition to the environmental impact, the Matavén Forest project supports local Indigenous communities by creating sustainable livelihood opportunities, improving education, and strengthening land management practices.

Read more about this project: Protection of the Matavén Forest

Climate Action as Part of Our Design Ethos

At Porter Robson, our commitment to sustainability is embedded in every stage of our work — from the earliest concept sketches to the final delivery of a project. Our approach is shaped not only by the ambition to meet low-energy targets, but by a broader responsibility to reduce the environmental impact of the built environment and champion positive change.

Key elements of our sustainable design ethos include:

• Designing to rigorous low-energy standards — including AECB and EnerPHit, Passivhaus to name a few, targeting low space heating demand, reduced air permeability, and high thermal performance.

• Prioritising passive design strategies — maximising natural daylight, optimising orientation, enhancing natural ventilation, and designing for thermal comfort to reduce reliance on mechanical systems.

• Careful material selection — specifying responsibly sourced, low embodied carbon, and durable materials, while exploring opportunities for reuse, recycling, and minimising construction waste.

• Integrating renewable technologies — including air source heat pumps, MVHR systems, and solar panels to support low-carbon energy use and long-term operational efficiency.

• Enhancing biodiversity and ecology — wherever possible, we look for opportunities to support local ecosystems through landscaping strategies, green roofs, and habitat creation, in line with approaches promoted by like-minded practices.

• Measuring and mitigating whole-life carbon — understanding both operational and embodied carbon impacts, and designing with circular economy principles in mind to ensure longevity and adaptability.

• Promoting collaborative sustainability — working closely with clients, consultants, and contractors to embed sustainability at every level of the project and ensure meaningful, lasting outcomes.

  
  

We believe that good architecture and good environmental stewardship go hand in hand. By aligning our design principles with best practices across the industry, and supporting climate-positive initiatives globally, we aim to create buildings that not only serve their users but also contribute to a more sustainable future.

Join Us on the Journey

Climate action requires collaboration. We believe that by working together — with clients, partners, and communities — we can achieve meaningful, long-lasting change.

Stay up to date with our sustainability initiatives and projects by following us on our website and social channels.

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