The Translink Rail Refurbishment project involves the renewal of a 1 km stretch of rail infrastructure in Belfast, running from York Road to Fort William. The refurbishment is part of a broader strategic improvement programme and seeks to modernise the line while aligning with Translink’s sustainability goals. The project required a rigorous assessment of environmental and carbon performance, as part of the client's commitment to sustainable infrastructure development and carbon transparency. Refurbishment of a 1 km stretch of active rail infrastructure in Belfast, part of Translink’s strategic improvement programme. Focus on embedding sustainability and carbon transparency into early design and material selection processes. Development of a bespoke, user-friendly carbon assessment tool to guide and simplify decision-making for both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Project aims to reduce embodied carbon and promote sustainable procurement by factoring in logistics, sourcing, and lifecycle emissions. Services we provided Environmental & Sustainability Consulting Digital Engineering & BIM Our Role BWB Consulting’s role was focused on embedding sustainability and innovation into the assessment and delivery of the refurbishment works. While the physical design of the rail refurbishment was relatively standard, the challenge lay in meeting Translink’s sustainability requirements, particularly around carbon reporting. Innovative approach BWB proposed an alternative approach, offering a more holistic and comprehensive method. We evaluated transportation logistics, material sourcing, delivery distances, and supply chain impact in addition to standard carbon factors. This broadened perspective allowed us to determine the true value of investing in low-carbon or carbon-neutral materials, ensuring decisions were informed by a complete picture of sustainability and cost-effectiveness. Bespoke tool We developed a bespoke digital tool tailored specifically for Translink. The tool simplifies complex carbon data into digestible and comparative outputs, allowing for easy understanding and decision-making by non-specialist stakeholders. It is fully adjustable, enabling users to tweak inputs and adapt it for future projects. This tool brought long-term value, not only supporting the current scheme but creating a foundation for continued sustainability integration in future rail infrastructure projects. Institutional change The main challenge was overcoming cultural and institutional resistance to change. Traditionally, rail companies followed rigid frameworks, and proposing a fundamentally different approach to carbon analysis required patience, persistence, and engagement. To overcome this, BWB led multiple CPD training sessions and early consultations on carbon awareness, assessment methodology, and the added value of transparency. This engagement helped demystify the topic, highlighting the practical benefits of a more expansive approach. Over time, and particularly once the bespoke tool was in place and demonstrably effective, stakeholders became more open and confident in the new methodology.