In response to the growing imperative for sustainable practices within the built environment, CIBSE developed TM65, a methodology for calculating the embodied carbon of building services equipment. As part of ongoing industry research on low-carbon innovation, Design Engineer, Sam Ellis from Crane Fluid Systems shares the organisation’s experience in applying TM65 to assess and reduce the environmental impact of its product portfolio.
This interview provides insights into how Crane Fluid Systems has operationalised TM65 to drive material and design optimisation, improve procurement decisions, and support transparent carbon reporting. The discussion also explores the role of the CIBSE Certification Embodied Carbon Verification (ECV) scheme in establishing data credibility and promoting standardisation across the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) sector.
The responses presented here reflect Crane Fluid Systems’ commitment to sustainability, innovation, and industry leadership in embodied carbon reduction.
1. How has your organisation used CIBSE TM65 to assess embodied carbon in building services products, and what impact has it had on your decision-making process?
At Crane Fluid Systems, we have implemented the CIBSE TM65 methodology to assess the embodied carbon across our products. To date, approximately 96% of our product range has undergone assessment to the 'Basic' level, with ongoing efforts to elevate these assessments to 'Mid-level' to enable more granular detail of the embodied carbon associated with our products. The application of CIBSE TM65 methodology has been instrumental in informing product development and processes, enabling us to align our operations more closely with corporate sustainability objectives.
A practical example of this is the design of the Dominator Eco valve assembly. This innovative configuration integrates a Pressure Independent Control Valve (PICV), H-body, and Flow Management Device (FMD) into a single unit. The result is a 28% reduction in length and a 36% decrease in overall weight, leading to significant reductions in raw material consumption. Consequently, this redesign yields an embodied carbon saving of approximately 8 kgCO₂e per valve—representing a 44% reduction in embodied carbon compared to the original Dominator Peak Pro model.
2. What do you consider to be the most valuable aspect of TM65 – is it the methodology, the simplicity, the standardisation, or something else?
The most valuable attribute of the TM65 framework is the simplicity of the methodology, which has enabled us to assess accurate embodied carbon assessments in a time- and cost-effective manner. While Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) remain the industry benchmark for lifecycle assessments, TM65 offers a resource and cost-effective solution that delivers robust and credible results. Its standardised format supports internal processes and allows us to respond within 24 hours to our customers with embodied carbon data. Which aids us in meeting demand for transparent carbon data across the supply chain.
3. To what extent has TM65 influenced your approach to sustainability, procurement, or specification within your projects?
CIBSE TM65 has had a substantial impact on our approach to product development and material specification. The methodology highlights the carbon implications of specific material and process selections, encouraging design opportunities with low carbon as a primary driver. It emphasises the lifecycle of products, not only the manufacture but also disposal considerations. This holistic view has encouraged us to opt for materials that are not only low in embodied carbon but also sustainable throughout their lifecycle.
This is exemplified in the development of our new DPCV product. The redesign has resulted in embodied carbon savings of 14 kgCO₂e for DN15 and 12 kgCO₂e for DN20 valves, which equates to an average reduction of 65% in embodied carbon compared to the previous DPCV designs.
4. How important do you think third-party or independent verification of TM65 calculations would be for driving trust and consistency across the industry?
At Crane Fluid Systems, we consider independent third-party verification to be essential for ensuring the integrity and reliability of TM65 calculations. It ensures the methodology is consistent and demonstrates a genuine commitment to transparency and sustainability, across different projects and organisations. At Crane Fluid Systems, we regard third-party verification not only as a mechanism to build trust but also as a driver for continuous improvement in our environmental performance as well as across the industry.
5. How do you feel the Embodied Carbon Verification (ECV) service, developed by CIBSE Certification, meets the needs for transparency and accuracy around embodied carbon reporting?
The ECV service from CIBSE Certification plays a pivotal role in reinforcing the credibility of embodied carbon assessments conducted using the TM65 methodology. By providing an independent review process, the service ensures that manufacturers report embodied carbon values that are both verifiable and aligned with best practice standards. It supports the industry shift toward decarbonisation by driving manufacturers to adopt low-carbon design and manufacturing principles. At Crane Fluid Systems, we believe that gaining the first ever ECV certification shows our commitment to sustainability and that our innovative solutions are aligned with green building initiatives, contributing to the reduction of the environmental impact of construction projects. Overall, the ECV service by CIBSE Certification plays a significant role in promoting transparency, accuracy, and sustainability in embodied carbon reporting within the MEP sector.
6. How do you feel the annual monitoring aspect of the ECV service considers product changes and ensures accuracy around embodied carbon reporting?
The annual audit mechanism embedded within the ECV framework plays a critical role in maintaining the accuracy, accountability, and reliability of embodied carbon reporting. These audits review manufacturers' systems and processes to ensure that any changes in materials, manufacturing methods, or supply chains are accurately reflected in the embodied carbon calculations.
This dynamic and flexible approach allows for continuous updates, ensuring that the data remains current and relevant, even as new technologies and methods are introduced. The amount of precision and transparency gives end-users confidence that the reported data reflects the actual state of products. The annual monitoring aspect of the ECV service plays a crucial role in maintaining the accuracy, accountability and reliability of embodied carbon reporting, supporting transparency and trust across the industry.
Crane Fluid Systems has been an early adopter of the scheme, this ECV certification not only reinforces Cranes’ reputation as a leader in sustainable building practices but also encourages other manufacturers to adopt similar environmentally responsible approaches.
Interested in starting your decarbonisation journey? Learn more about our ECV scheme.