Episode 139 - RIBA Sustainable Business Development Toolkit

This monologue podcast episode focuses on the RIBA's Sustainable Business Development Toolkit, a resource for architectural practices to create sustainability policies. The host details the toolkit's five-step approach: understanding impact, optimizing and improving, finance and business, understanding control versus influence, and annual disclosure, linking each step to relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals. Specific examples of data collection for carbon footprint measurement (energy consumption, water usage) and suggested sustainable materials (SIPs panels, hempcrete, cross-laminated timber) are provided. Finally, the episode concludes with a scenario applying the toolkit's principles to a school project, offering practical advice on material selection and low-carbon technologies (PV panels, ground source heat pumps, MVHR units) for a client. This episode aims to help Part 3 architecture students and practicing architects integrate sustainability into their work and exam preparation.