Our sustainability approach at COX is deeply rooted in our values, which prioritise environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
We believe that sustainability is not just a consideration, but a fundamental ethos that drives our design practice.
The global climate crisis calls for decisive action, At COX, we recognise our role and responsibility to reduce emissions and accelerate the transition to a net zero future. Our design ethos Do More with Less and Create to Last directs us to minimise embodied and operational carbon, embrace adaptive reuse, and champion circularity. Every project is a step toward a carbon neutral built environment, where renewable energy, responsible materials, and efficient systems shape places of resilience and beauty. By setting ambitious targets, we aim to inspire clients, collaborators, and communities to join is in reimagining a decarbonised future that safeguards the health of people and the planet.
The living world sustains us, and its decline threatens our shared future. COX is committed to restoring balance by integrating nature into the fabric of cities, precincts, and buildings. We honour Country, protect habitats, and design places where people and ecosystems flourish together. Guided by Lead with Empathy and Embody Diversity, we draw on traditional knowledge, foster ecological corridors, and embed biophilic design to strengthen connections with place. Every project is an opportunity to regenerate biodiversity, cool our cities, and nurture well-being. By caring deeply for nature, we commit to design that protects life and amplifies its richness for generations ahead.
The climate is shifting around us, with rising heat, floods, and habitat loss reminding us of shared vulnerability. At COX, we see these challenges as catalysts for change. Guided by our value Create to Last, we shape cities, precincts, and buildings that adapt and endure. Our systems thinking weaves together the threads of ecology, community, and technology to foster places that are resilient and regenerative. In every project, we see to future-proof with empathy- reducing risk, embracing nature’s patterns, and supporting life to thrive. We believe resilience is not only surviving what comes, but creating conditions where both people and place grow stronger through change.
Communities carry the stories, values, and hopes that define place. At COX, we honour this enduring spirit, designing spaces that invite belonging, exchange, and cultural healing. With Lead with Empathy and Embody Diversity as our compass, we listen deeply and co-create with those who stand to benefit most. We celebrate culture as the heartbeat of resilient places-woven through art, craft, gathering, and everyday rituals. These connections enrich public life, foster equity, and strengthen bonds between people and place. Our aspiration is to create spaces that hold memory, uplift voices, and foster communities that are celebrated for generations to come.
COX’s approach to sustainability is anchored around of our four core values Do More with Less, Create to Last, Lead with Empathy, and Embody Diversity– and organised in six interconnected Sustainability Themes along with resilience, which work in concert to achieve positive outcomes for People, Planet and Place.
These themes provide structure and focus for our strategies and endeavours, evaluating project outcomes and setting performance targets.
By recognising the interconnected nature of these themes we can maximise ‘co-benefits’ beyond the primary theme.
COX’s approach to sustainability is anchored around of four core values and organised in six interconnected Sustainability Themes along with resilience, which work in concert to achieve positive outcomes for people, planet and place.
We aim to minimise energy use in the first instance through optimum passive design and a high-performance building envelope. Efficient systems, lighting and appliances reduce demand further, while on-site integrated renewable energy generation and storage opportunities are maximised.
The materials selection concentrated on reducing the embodied carbon footprint of our projects. It encompasses a whole-of-life approach with focus on reducing upfront carbon through adaptive reuse, resource efficiency, durability and sustainable material choices, and the end-of-life burden by adopting circular design principles and waste minimisation.
The incorporation of nature positive strategies, blue and green infrastructure and biophilic design elements aim to protect and enhance biodiversity, effectively mitigate urban heat and flash flooding, and promote health, productivity and resilience.
Water is integral to resilient project design, recognising water as a precious resource while mitigating stormwater impacts. Potable water conservation, rainwater harvesting and water-sensitive urban design are key priorities in this theme.
Healthy communities are inherently resilient. Climate adaptation is critical to create functional, walkable and enjoyable environments that are safe, accessible and inclusive for all. Indoor environmental quality is another focus area, particularly in projects where building users spend a significant amount of times indoors, such as commercial, residential, educational, and healthcare developments.
We are committed to approaching each project with empathy and respect for a future that celebrates diverse cultures, histories, and connections to place. Climate adaptation and disaster preparedness are vital to ensure the health and prosperity of current and future generations.
Guiding Sustainable Outcomes: Meet the Team
National Head of Sustainability, Dr. Matthias Irger
The future of our planet depends on the choices we make today. Let’s work with a shared sense of purpose to redefine urban life, to create cities that are not only resilient and adaptable, but also regenerative and thriving.
Since 2021, COX has been certified carbon neutral through Climate Active. We measure, reduce, and offset our operational emissions, while setting ambitious targets to halve our footprint by 2030 and move toward carbon negativity. Our studios are powered by renewable energy, designed with circularity in mind, and continually re-evaluated for efficiency. Carbon neutrality is not an endpoint, but a foundation for deeper action- ensuring that our practice aligns with the urgent need to decarbonise and create positive outcomes for both people and planet.
COX is committed to respectful, ongoing engagement with First Nations peoples across our Oceania projects. Guided by our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, we listen, learn, and co-design in ways that reflect Country, culture, and community aspirations. We strengthen partnerships through CareerTrackers, Supply Nation, and authentic collaborations that support self-determination, Embedding First Nations knowledge enriches our design responses, restores connections to land and water, and creates places that honour cultural heritage. This commitment deepens our practice and ensures our work contributes to a future where diverse voices are celebrated and sustained.
For over six decades, COX has championed an environmentally sensitive approach grounded in deep understanding of context and place. With sustainability at its core, this approach incorporates adaptive reuse and passive design principles to the degree possible, minimises the use of resources, and prioritises locally sourced materials and connections to nature.
By building on past successes, COX continues to evolve and apply effective sustainability initiatives, supported by clear performance measures, data collection and transparent reporting.
COX Chair of the Board of Directors, Richard Coulson
Sustainability is aligned with COX’s culture and values and is evident from our very earliest projects. We have always sought to design from first principles, in consideration of climate, materials and the general desire to do more with less. Over time these skills have been augmented by a systematic approach and the use of sophisticated technologies that provide important value for Clients as well as delightful spaces to occupy.