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Start with Strategy: Why Defining the Project is the First Step in Decarbonisation
What happens when you skip straight to solutions? Confusion, cost overruns, and stalled projects.
In a decarbonisation journey, funding is vital. So is technology. But the first step? It’s always strategy. That means defining the project properly: before a single bid is written, before suppliers are contacted, and well before any kit is installed.
At HI Group, our experience with large, complex buildings – across healthcare, local government, education and more – has shown us time and again: clarity at the start leads to success at every stage.
So, what does a strategic start really look like?
Why ‘just get started’ can derail a decarbonisation plan
We often hear from clients after they’ve already hit a wall: a funding bid that failed, a supplier quote that didn’t stack up, or an underdeveloped plan that can’t secure internal buy-in.
In most cases, it’s not because the ambition wasn’t there. It’s because the project wasn’t properly defined.
That means:
- No clear baseline of energy use or emissions
- No feasibility assessment for the technologies being proposed
- No strategic brief that stakeholders can align around
Without these foundations, even well-intentioned projects struggle to move forward—or fail to deliver value when they do.
What strategic definition looks like (done right)
A clear, effective decarbonisation plan doesn’t start with technology: it starts with what the building actually needs. A feasibility-first, tech-neutral approach ensures that every recommendation aligns with operational priorities, emissions goals and available budget.
Here’s how our approach is designed to make sure your plan stands up to scrutiny:
🛠️ Scoping the project
Clarifying what’s in and out of scope, defining operational constraints, and capturing site-specific challenges such as building use or access logistics.
📋 Decarbarbonisation discovery plan
Clear and high level roadmap to align leadership and stakeholders with project objectives, the roadmap ahead and initial expectation setting on what can be achieved.
📊 Baselining energy and emissions
Gathering desktop and on-site data to build a detailed carbon and energy footprint: across Scope 1 and 2, and Scope 3 where relevant.
🔍 Carrying out feasibility studies
Assessing the practicality, risks and benefits of low carbon technologies in the context of the existing building fabric, plant, and operational profile.
📈 Modelling impact and building the business case
Combining life cycle savings, CAPEX/OPEX projections, and system compatibility to provide a data-led view that supports confident decision-making.
🧭 Aligning with funding criteria
Ensuring the strategy doesn’t just work technically, but also meets the compliance requirements for funding schemes and finance programmes.
All findings are brought together in a pre-design report: a strategic roadmap that supports internal buy-in, unlocks external funding and sets the foundation for delivery.
Why this matters now
With public sector budgets under pressure and the path to net zero under greater scrutiny, organisations can’t afford to waste time – or money – on poorly scoped projects.
Taking the time to define the project properly at the outset avoids expensive redesigns and missed opportunities later on. And crucially, it means the technologies you install actually deliver what they promise.
It’s what turns decarbonisation from a vague ambition into a confident, coordinated plan.
The right decarbonisation partner will help you articulate not just the environmental impact, but the operational and commercial benefits too: from lifecycle cost reductions to energy resilience. Because the smartest decarbonisation plans aren’t one-size-fits-all – they’re built around your goals, your buildings, and your journey.
Next up in the series: The Decarbonisation Domino Effect
In our next article, we’ll explore how good project management keeps everything moving. From risk mitigation to supplier coordination, discover how a clear plan, compliant designs and commercial confidence turn a defined project into a delivered one – without derailing your goals.
For more information on how our services can support your decarbonisation journey, contact our team: hello@higroupltd.co.uk
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