Charting the course to net zero: A new engineering language for sustainability
By Dave Greenhill, Advanced Research Engineer for Sustainability
In the race to net zero, engineers are often handed a dense stack of sustainability reporting standards and asked to navigate a path through carbon metrics, lifecycle assessments, and disclosure protocols. But what if there were a way to talk about sustainability in the language of engineering improvement?
That’s exactly what NCC has developed: Sustainability Maturity Levels (SMLs) – a new framework that reframes sustainability as a journey of continuous improvement, not just compliance.
From composite wings to credible roadmaps
The idea was born during ASCEND — a major R&D programme aimed at accelerating the use of composites in next-generation aircraft and vehicles. The programme is led by GKN Aerospace and includes 15 project partners: Airborne, Assyst Bulmer, Cygnet Texkimp, Cytec Syensqo, DES Composites, FAR-UK, Hexcel, Hive Composites, LMAT, Loop Technology, McLaren Automotive, NCC, Rafinex and Sigmatex, with collaboration managed by Axillium Research. The ASCEND consortium aimed to cut lead times, costs and environmental impact across the supply chain.
NCC was tasked with leading the sustainability thread. What they confirmed was a jungle of overlapping tools, protocols and standards, few of which were built with engineering teams in mind.
As I've said before: "It’s like trying to build a plane while also learning a new language of carbon reporting. There are hundreds of frameworks out there - but very little that helps engineers understand where they are now, where they need to be, and how to get there.”
A tool for buyers and builders
One of the most promising uses for SMLs is in procurement. Just as cost, quality, and delivery are factored into supplier selection, sustainability can now be part of that conversation - with a simple, transparent scoring system.
SMLs can also help product development teams align with regulatory expectations, support funding applications, and report on impact without overcomplicating the process.
The framework works with existing standards such as ISO 14040 and the GHG Protocol and can be visually represented using a starburst diagram that shows strengths and gaps at a glance.
From framework to global standard?
NCC now plans to release the SML model beyond the ASCEND consortium and begin discussions with ISO and other standardisation bodies about formal adoption. A training course is already available to help organisations apply the model.
While still in its early stages, the framework is gaining traction. The ASCEND team recently won the ATI Team Award for Sustainability, with the SML workstream cited as a key contributor.
A common language for an urgent challenge
In a sector where products can take years to design, test and certify, waiting for the perfect sustainability tool isn’t an option. What SMLs offer is a realistic, structured and scalable way to move forward.
Engineers and manufacturers now have a way to understand, measure and communicate sustainability without needing to become data scientists. And in a world where net zero isn't just a goal but a requirement, that shift couldn't come soon enough.
Try it yourself
While NCC experts are available to guide you through the SML journey, we've developed a cheat sheet to help you speak our lingo. Our dedicated online course walks you through the six SML criteria, guiding you on how they can be used to measure and improve sustainability performance. You'll be able to discover how the framework enables fair, standardised assessment while safeguarding sensitive data.
Let's talk
If you'd like to learn more about SMLs or find out what else NCC can support with, get in touch with our expert team.
