At setec consulting engineers, sustainability is not an objective at the end of a project, it is the foundation of how we design, plan and deliver from the very beginning.
As a UK-based multidisciplinary consultancy, we are committed to helping clients achieve their Net Zero 2050 ambitions while delivering safe, efficient and resilient infrastructure that stands the test of time.
Our approach combines engineering excellence, digital innovation, and environmental responsibility. Every design choice, material decision and process improvement are made with a single purpose – to create long-term value for people, communities and the environment.
Sustainable engineering begins at concept stage.
Our teams assess the full lifecycle of every project, embedding low-carbon strategies, circular economy principles and resource efficiency into design and delivery.
We focus on five key priorities:
Our goal is to deliver infrastructure that performs exceptionally while protecting the ecosystems and communities that surround it.
Our sustainability ethos is guided by the Engineers & Citizens philosophy, a group-wide framework that ensures ethical, transparent and environmentally responsible practice.
It asks every engineer to act not only as a designer but also as a citizen, someone accountable for the social and ecological consequences of their work.
Through our Go/No-Go process, we evaluate the wider impact of potential projects before committing to them. Each assessment considers environmental, social and ethical factors, with collective decision-making and transparent reporting.
This ensures our participation aligns with our principles and supports the transition to a more sustainable world.
Being Engineers & Citizens means actively choosing to design and deliver projects that move society forward responsibly.
Innovation plays a vital role in achieving sustainability.
Our use of digital engineering, Building Information Modelling (BIM), and data analysis allows us to simulate performance, predict impacts and optimise outcomes at every stage.
By modelling carbon, energy and lifecycle performance early in the process, we can make informed decisions that reduce emissions, improve efficiency and extend the life of assets.
Digital integration also enables precise monitoring and transparent reporting against sustainability goals.
We apply the same principles internally that we promote externally.
setec has measured its group carbon footprint since 2008 across all three scopes, providing a clear reduction pathway and accountability for progress.
Current actions include:
These commitments ensure that our operations reflect our engineering values – efficient, ethical, and forward-looking.
Sustainability cannot exist in isolation.
We work closely with clients, contractors, public authorities and academic partners to share insight and drive continuous improvement.
Through working groups, technical committees, and industry think-tanks, we contribute to developing practical solutions for the UK’s climate and infrastructure challenges.
By sharing what we learn, we help elevate sustainable standards across the wider engineering community.
Our sustainable approach extends beyond our projects.
Through the Setec Foundation, hosted by the Fondation de France, we support initiatives that promote education, innovation and environmental protection around the world.
Since 2020, the Foundation has funded over 60 projects in 15 countries, including programmes focused on climate transition, social inclusion, and humanitarian aid.
It embodies our belief that engineering should be a force for lasting positive change.
Sustainability is both our responsibility and our opportunity.
At setec consulting engineers, we approach every challenge with the conviction that engineering can drive transformation, reducing impact, enhancing resilience and improving quality of life across the United Kingdom.
By combining technical excellence, ethical practice and environmental commitment, we are engineering a sustainable future for generations to come.
