carbon numbers

Who are Carbon Numbers?

Carbon Numbers is a building energy management business headquartered in Essex, operating nationally across the UK. Founded in 2012, Carbon Numbers was established to help organisations reduce energy consumption, cut costs and deliver measurable carbon reductions across the built
environment. We specialise in smart energy and building performance technologies, combining deep technical expertise with secure, cloud-based platforms. Our services span Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS), lighting, metering, compliance and long-term optimisation, supported by a dedicated fibre network and robust IT infrastructure.

What sets Carbon Numbers apart is our focus on empowering both people and buildings. We work with facilities teams, sustainability leaders, finance teams and boards to ensure that insight leads to action. By bringing multiple stakeholders together around clear, trusted data, we help organisations build confidence, secure buy-in, and deliver sustainable results that last.

Our proprietary platforms, including Carbon Connect and Carbon Compass, provide real-time visibility of energy use, building performance and carbon impact. Our innovation in data breaks down the barriers many organisations have in connecting and enabling smart buildings.

Carbon Numbers has delivered more than £50 million in verified energy savings for our clients, ranging from SMES to large public and private sector organisations. Over the last three years, the business has achieved 28% growth, driven by green technology innovation, long-term partnerships and growing demand for credible, performance-led Net Zero solutions. Our work is underpinned by ISO 27001, ISO 50001, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and Cyber Essentials accreditation.

What have you been up to in 2025?

2025 has been a year of strong commercial momentum, focused innovation and people-led growth. We have continued to expand our green technology portfolio, focusing on data security, realtime insights and stakeholder-friendly innovation. We’re developing platforms that help organisations move beyond monitoring to prioritise, evidence and accelerate carbon reduction actions, supporting compliance, investment decisions and long-term Net Zero planning.

This growth has been matched by investment in people. We’re investing in the next generation, with a 100% apprentice qualification and retention rate, strengthening green skills capability within the business and supporting the wider low-carbon economy in Essex.

2025 also marked the formal embedding of our CCORE values: Care, Commitment, Ownership, Responsibility and Excellence. These values shape how we work with clients, develop our teams and deliver outcomes, ensuring performance, sustainability, and people remain equally prioritised.

What are your plans for 2026?

In 2026, Carbon Numbers will continue to scale as a leading green tech business, with a focus on innovation, skills and impact. In early 2026, we will launch Carbon Compass, enhancing analytics, automation and reporting to support proactive, performance-led energy and carbon management at scale. In the first half of 2026, we will also be introducing our refreshed brand, representing the growth and evolution of the business, alongside a new website and continued thought leadership in the building energy management space.

Do you think Essex is a good place for business?

Essex is an excellent place to build and grow a business. We’re proud to be based in Essex. The county offers strong connectivity, a growing technology ecosystem and access to skilled talent, supported by initiatives such as Ambitious Essex. For Carbon Numbers, Essex enables us to invest locally while delivering nationally and contributing to the UK’s green economy.

What is a simple first step every business can take to reduce carbon output?

The first step is visibility and understanding. Many organisations already have building systems in place but lack the insight needed to use them effectively. By connecting systems, reviewing performance data and understanding how buildings operate in reality, businesses can quickly identify wasted energy and unnecessary cost. We can help organisations create not just more energy-efficient buildings, but buildings that are responsive to change and better for the people who use them. Change can be as simple as using smart sockets and lighting, while we create a simple, achievable path to longer-term projects.

What are the average savings businesses can make by optimising their buildings?

Organisations can typically achieve energy savings of 20 to 55% by optimising existing assets. These savings are most often delivered through better controls, smarter scheduling and proactive use of performance data, rather than large-scale replacement of equipment.

What is the most common excessive resource leading to higher costs?

The most common issue is energy being consumed without delivering any value. Heating, cooling, lighting and ventilation systems often run outside of occupied hours or operate inefficiently due to disconnected systems and lack of visibility. Addressing this through better insight, engagement and control delivers some of the fastest and most cost effective carbon reductions available. High-performing buildings are those where people are empowered to understand performance, take ownership and drive continuous improvement.

Visit Carbon Numbers