MPBA: A roadmap to net zero
Jackie Maginnis, chief executive of the Modular and Portable Building Association, outlines how the sector’s new Roadmap to Net Zero is helping public sector clients take a whole‑life, sustainability‑led approach
Building a sustainable and resilient future for public sector buildings
Across the UK public sector, there is growing pressure to deliver buildings that are cost-effective, adaptable and resilient, while also aligning with ambitious climate and carbon reduction targets. From government and council offices to hospitals, healthcare facilities, schools, colleges, community centres and town halls – public bodies are being tasked to modernise estates at pace to meet sustainability goals.
Central government policy, local authority climate action plans and NHS England sustainable strategies all point to the same conclusion – the public estate must play a leading role in meeting the UK’s net zero commitments.
Achieving this requires a fundamental rethink of how public sector buildings are designed, constructed and managed. Energy efficiency, low-carbon materials and modern methods of construction (MMC), including modular building, are no longer optional considerations but essential tools in reducing emissions, waste and long-term operational costs.
However, meeting these challenges will require more than incremental improvements. It demands a strategic, whole-system approach – one that considers sustainability from early planning and procurement through to construction, operation, adaptation and eventual reuse.
Recognising the need for clear leadership and a coordinated response, the Modular and Portable Building Association (MPBA) has launched a practical, evidence-based Roadmap to Net Zero, designed to support the modular building sector and its public sector clients in delivering genuinely sustainable outcomes. Chief executive Jackie Maginnis explains the drivers behind the initiative and its relevance across the public estate.
A strategic approach to decarbonisation
Modular and offsite construction already plays a vital role across the public sector, providing high-quality buildings at speed in response to urgent demand. Whether addressing pressure on healthcare capacity, expanding education provision, delivering council offices or supporting community regeneration – modular solutions offer flexibility and predictability that traditional construction often struggles to achieve.
The MPBA’s Roadmap to Net Zero builds on this established role, offering a clear framework to help the sector contribute meaningfully to national and local net zero targets. At its core is a structured three-pillar approach.
Understanding, assessing, implementing
In 2024, the MPBA and its members established a dedicated Sustainability Committee to lead the industry’s collective journey towards net zero. The Committee’s work is guided by three interlinked pillars designed to drive lasting, measurable change.
Understanding focuses on identifying the sustainability challenges and opportunities facing the public sector and the modular supply chain. This includes recognising the diverse needs of central government departments, local authorities, healthcare trusts and education estates for example.
Assessing involves measuring current performance across the sector. By encouraging consistent benchmarking and data-led insight, the MPBA aims to establish a clear picture of where modular construction
currently stands in relation to carbon reduction and where further progress is required.
Implementing translates strategy into action. This pillar is focused on embedding sustainability across design, manufacture, transport, installation and long-term operation.
Together, these pillars provide a robust framework to help public sector clients make informed, confident decisions about low-carbon construction.
Whole life carbon and the public estate
Central to the MPBA’s Roadmap to Net Zero is a strong focus on whole life carbon, an area of growing importance across public sector policy and procurement.
Whole life carbon considers the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with a building over its entire lifespan – from raw material extraction and manufacturing through construction and operation, to end-of-life processes such as deconstruction, reuse or recycling.
Modular construction is particularly well suited to addressing whole life carbon. Factory-controlled manufacturing allows for precise material use, reduced waste and improved quality control. Buildings can be designed for disassembly, relocation or reconfiguration, supporting circular economy principles and extending asset life.
Evidence of industry commitment
Backing the committee in this mission is a team of leading sustainability experts, including Net Positive Solutions, Green Thinking and Lifecycle Sustainability. Their guidance brings cutting-edge knowledge, practical strategies, and real-world insight into carbon reduction, ensuring the committee’s initiatives are not just ambitious, but achievable and effective.
To inform the development of the Roadmap, the MPBA conducted a sustainability survey among its members. The results demonstrate a sector that is not only aware of its environmental responsibilities but is actively responding to them.
More than 80 per cent of respondents identified sustainability and net zero as major drivers of business strategy. Almost half have already carried out Life Cycle Assessments or embodied carbon assessments, indicating a growing level of technical understanding and maturity within the modular sector.
These findings highlight strong alignment between the MPBA’s objectives and the priorities of public sector clients, many of whom are already working with modular suppliers to deliver low-carbon buildings that meet demanding environmental and performance standards.
Supporting public sector net zero ambitions
Public sector organisations across the UK are setting increasingly ambitious sustainability targets. From central government commitments and NHS net zero plans to local authority climate strategies, there is widespread recognition that the public estate must lead by example.
The MPBA’s Roadmap to Net Zero has been developed to directly support these ambitions. By aligning modular building practices with government frameworks, procurement requirements and sustainability benchmarks, the Association is helping to ensure modular construction remains compliant, credible and future-ready.
Leadership, collaboration and advocacy
As the trade body representing the modular and portable building sector, the MPBA plays a critical role in driving collaboration, knowledge-sharing and continuous improvement.
Through sector-specific guidance, tools and benchmarks, the Association supports greater consistency in how carbon is measured and reduced across the building lifecycle. Training, events and case studies promote practical examples of modular buildings supporting public sector sustainability – from healthcare facilities designed for net zero readiness to community buildings with extended lifespans. The MPBA also works with policymakers and stakeholders to ensure modular construction is recognised as a key enabler of public sector decarbonisation.
Introducing the MPBA Net Zero Charter
Building on the work of the Sustainability Committee, the MPBA is preparing to launch a Net Zero Charter for its members. The Charter will set out clear commitments, milestones and responsibilities, providing a transparent framework for action.
For public sector clients, the Charter will offer reassurance that modular suppliers are aligned with national sustainability objectives and are actively measuring and reporting progress. Members signing the Charter will be able to demonstrate credibility and accountability, supporting confident procurement decisions.
A sustainable future for public buildings
The MPBA’s Roadmap to Net Zero represents more than an industry initiative – it is a shared vision for a sustainable, resilient and adaptable public estate.
By combining the efficiency of modular construction with a rigorous approach to whole life carbon, the MPBA is empowering public sector organisations to make responsible, future-focused choices. The result is modern public buildings that are better for service users, better for public finances and better for the environment.
Join forces for greater impact
As the construction industry continues its transition towards net zero, collaboration will be essential. The Modular and Portable Building Association provides a platform for organisations to share best practice, drive innovation and deliver meaningful change across the public sector.
