The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) and Minister for Industry and Economic Security Alan Mak have convened leaders from the construction industry to endorse the "Five Client Carbon Commitments," aimed at propelling the sector towards Net Zero emissions. These commitments mark a significant stride forward in the ongoing efforts within the industry to address the challenge of Net Zero.
Outlined below are the five commitments:
- Procurement for Low Carbon Construction: Contracts will incentivize low carbon practices.
- Phase Out Fossil Fuels: Clear timelines will be set to eliminate the use of fossil fuels.
- Reduce Carbon Intensive Concrete Products: High carbon concrete products will be phased out.
- Reduce Carbon Intensive Steel Products: Similarly, carbon-intensive steel products will be eliminated.
- Adoption of PAS 2080: Adoption of this standard will ensure consistent carbon management and reporting practices across the industry.
By endorsing these commitments, organizations signal their dedication to significantly reducing construction-related carbon emissions and outline their own pathways toward achieving these goals. These commitments target major emission sources in infrastructure delivery, including the cessation of diesel use on construction sites and transitioning to alternative energy sources such as green hydrogen and electric-powered equipment. Additionally, a shift towards the use of low carbon concrete and steel is emphasized.
The CLC urges client organizations to integrate PAS 2080 into their operations, establishing a unified standard for carbon management and placing carbon reduction at the core of procurement processes. This approach, pioneered by the Lower Thames Crossing project, has already led to a 50% reduction in carbon emissions during procurement.
The signatory organizations, poised to invest billions into UK infrastructure in the next decade, wield significant influence over the supply chain. By committing to these pledges, they provide clarity and certainty to suppliers regarding the growing demand for innovative low carbon solutions. This, in turn, incentivizes investment in green technologies within the manufacturing and supply sectors.
While the construction industry is indispensable to the nation's economy, its substantial carbon footprint necessitates change. With the UK government targeting Net Zero emissions by 2050, transformative action within the construction sector is imperative.
Industry Minister Alan Mak underscores the immense opportunities for green job creation and private sector investment in decarbonization efforts through initiatives like Construct Zero. Mark Reynolds, Co-Chair of the CLC, emphasizes the necessity of collaborative, cross-industry action to meet the ambitious Net Zero targets. Matt Palmer, Industry Sponsor for Net Zero and Biodiversity at the CLC, stresses the need for bold steps and collective commitment from partners and the supply chain to usher in a decarbonized future.
In the coming months, additional organizations such as East West Rail, Environment Agency, Houses of Parliament Restoration & Renewal, and National Grid are slated to join the pledge, further solidifying the industry's commitment to decarbonization.
