Civil Engineers cut carbon emissions by a third
Civil engineering firms have reduced their carbon emissions by over 30% in the last six years through the use of smart technology, renewable energy and fleet modernisation, according to the Carbon & Energy Management and Reduction Scheme (Cemars), run by Achilles. A saving of 8 million tons of CO2 equivalent YoY was achieved by the firms, equivalent to more than 700,000 return trips between Heathrow Airport to JFK International Airport. Among the companies achieving the Cemars gold certificate were Balfour Beatty, Bam, Carillion, Laing O’Rourke, United Utilities and Skanska.
Civils firms have reduced their carbon emissions by more than 30% in the last six years, new figures have confirmed.

The reductions total the equivalent carbon emissions from more than 700,000 return passenger trips from Heathrow Airport to JFK International Airport. The firms have saved 8M.t of carbon dioxide equivalents year on year over the last six years. They have done this via mechanisms such as smart technology, using renewable energy and modernising fleet.

The results were reported and independently verified through the Carbon & Energy Management and Reduction Scheme (Cemars), which is run by Achilles in the UK.

“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,” said Achilles chief executive Jay Katzen.

“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.”

The civils firms have used the award to reiterate their commitment to tackling global warming.

“Achilles’ assessments are both independent and rigorous, meaning there is no scope for ‘greenwashing’. As a result of Cemars, Morgan Sindall Group can now identify new ways to reduce carbon emissions and have made reductions though a range of measures,” said Morgan Sindall director of sustainability and procurement Graham Edgell.

Bam Construct head of sustainability Jesse Putzel added: “Cemars has really helped to focus our efforts over the last six years. We’ve systematically worked through our carbon reduction plan and have improved the way we deliver projects, reducing carbon, costs and also improving health and wellbeing of our teams.”

Carillion is one of only two UK industrial companies that made it onto the Carbon Disclosure Project’s global “A-list”. Its chief sustainability officer David Picton said: “Climate change remains rightly high on the global agenda after the historic Paris agreements, and we are committed to transparent, trusted reporting and to working with customers, suppliers and the communities where we work and live as we shape a better tomorrow.”

Among the companies which achieved the Cemars gold certificate were Balfour Beatty, Bam, Black and Veatch, Carillion, J Murphy & Sons, Laing O’Rourke, Morgan Sindall, Morrison Utility Services, Skanska and United Utilities.

The CEMARS scheme was developed for Achilles by Enviro-Mark Solutions which is a subsidiary of a New Zealand government owned research institute. Achilles supplies risk management services.