Carillion, Skanska and Morgan Sindall are among 29 infrastructure firms that have been commended for saving the equivalent of 8 millions tonnes of carbon dioxide year-on-year for six years. This is the equivalent of saving carbon emissions generated by more than 700,000 return air trips from Heathrow to JFK New York.
According to industry body Achilles, which uses the internationally recognised Carbon & Energy Management and Reduction Scheme (CEMARS) to audit and drive improvements, the contractors are setting high standards in reducing carbon emissions.
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The 29 companies from across the construction, rail, utilities, manufacturing and public sectors have deployed a range of techniques including modernising fleets, implementing smart technologies, using renewable energies and encouraging the whole supply chain to reduce emissions. This includes changing working practices and using fuel-efficient vehicles and plant to create greener business operations.
Morgan Sindall has recorded a 54% carbon saving since 2010, beating the 30% average for the 29 firms.
Graham Edgell, Morgan Sindall group director of sustainability and procurement, said: “We have succeeded in embedding low-carbon ways of working across all divisions. We have not only met, but exceeded the targets we have set ourselves, and I have no doubt we will continue to drive environmental improvements.”
Eddy Taylor, head of sustainability at Laing O’Rourke, added: “Our CEMARS-certified carbon footprint has dropped by 52% since our base year of 2008-09.
“The certification process has helped motivate step-change improvements in the efficiency of our construction plant and processes, as well as drive incremental improvement and behaviour change.”
Jay Katzen, chief executive of Achilles, said: “In a landmark week, when the Paris Agreement will be coming into force and carbon reduction is hitting headlines across the world, UK infrastructure companies have proven themselves to be global role models in responsible and sustainable business.
“On average, the companies participating in the CEMARS programme have reduced absolute carbon emissions by just over 30%, over the last six years. That is a great achievement in any industry – but particularly infrastructure, which is traditionally energy-intensive.”
Contractors among the 29 companies that achieved the CEMARS gold certificate were: Balfour Beatty; BAM Group;
Black & Veatch;
Carillion;
J Murphy & Sons;
Laing O’Rourke;
McNicholas Construction;
Morgan Sindall;
Morrison Utility Services;
MWH UK;
Skanska UK.
A gold certificate is awarded to firms that achieve six successive years of carbon auditing by Achilles.
The achievement was revealed as more than 80 countries ratified the Paris Agreement, the international agreement to reduce emissions and global warming. The agreement is due to come into force on 6 November.
