Infrastructure giants unite to decarbonise construction sector

Six of the UK's most influential infrastructure companies, including Anglian Water, Heathrow, The Lower Thames Crossing, National Highways, Northumbrian Water, and Sellafield, have made a historic commitment to combat their largest sources of CO2 emissions – diesel, steel, and concrete.

The pledge is in alignment with the Construction Leadership Council’s (CLC) "Five Client Carbon Commitments," a comprehensive framework aimed at steering the industry towards achieving Net Zero emissions. By signing up to these commitments, these industry leaders are providing a clear roadmap for their journey towards sustainability.

The commitments include provisions to procure low-carbon construction materials and incentivize their use in contracts, establish phase-out dates for fossil fuel use, eliminate the most carbon-intensive concrete and steel products, and adopt PAS 2080 standards for carbon management and reporting.

A key aspect of the commitments is the transition away from diesel use on construction sites, with a focus on alternative energy sources such as diesel replacements, green hydrogen, and electric-powered plant machinery. Additionally, there is a concerted effort to shift towards the lowest carbon sources of concrete and steel available in the market.

The CLC's initiative also emphasizes the importance of incorporating carbon reduction measures into procurement processes. The Lower Thames Crossing has already demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach, achieving a remarkable 50% reduction in carbon emissions through its recent procurement process.

The companies involved are expected to invest tens of billions into UK infrastructure projects over the next decade. Their collective commitment sends a strong signal to the supply chain, encouraging the development and adoption of innovative low-carbon products and solutions.

The construction industry, while vital for economic growth, is also a significant contributor to CO2 emissions. With the UK government targeting Net Zero by 2050, urgent action is required to decarbonize the sector. The signing of the Five Client Carbon Commitments represents a crucial step towards achieving this goal.

Industry minister and co-chair of the Construction Leadership Council Alan Mak said: “From investing in green skills and tech to boosting investment and innovation, there are huge opportunities in decarbonising for the UK construction sector. “Through the Construct Zero framework, we could see thousands of new green jobs and billions in private sector investment being added to the UK economy. It's fantastic to see these five Client Carbon Commitments signed today, which will go a long way towards achieving these ambitions.”

Mark Reynolds, group chairman and chief executive of Mace and co-chair of the Construction Leadership Council said: “We are now at an inflection point where wholesale changes, brought about through cross-industry collaboration, are the only way to meet the speed and scale that Net Zero 2050 demands. Our launch of CO₂nstructZero in 2020 and the success we've seen so far has shown the value of collective frameworks. By creating these commitments for infrastructure delivery will allow clients in our industry to pursue more sustainable outcomes in a coordinated way – helping us all work together across the sector to drive towards decarbonisation.”

Matt Palmer, industry sponsor for Net Zero and Biodiversity at the Construction Leadership Council and executive director, Lower Thames Crossing said: “The UK relies on the infrastructure organisations build and run, but the way we have been doing so is incompatible with a Net Zero future. We cannot simply stop building and maintaining the infrastructure society relies on, so we must change and to adopt new materials and technologies. We need to be bold, and we need our partners and supply chain to come with us. Our commitments today provide will start to provide clear client direction to decarbonise the largest emitting areas of construction.”

In the coming months, additional organizations, including East West Rail, Environment Agency, Houses of Parliament Restoration & Renewal, and National Grid, are expected to join the pledge, further strengthening the industry's commitment to sustainability and Net Zero emissions.

This commitment is not only a response to government targets but also an acknowledgment of the urgent need for action to mitigate the impact of climate change. By embracing sustainable practices and technologies, these industry giants are setting a new standard for environmentally responsible construction, ensuring a greener future for generations to come.