Latest Progress Report on Construction Carbon Emissions Published

A NEW REPORT from the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) sets out the latest progress from the construction industry in reaching net zero.

The 6^th progress update on the CLC’s CO₂nstruct Zero Performance Framework says UK construction continues to make progress on driving carbon out of its activities.

The Framework was launched at COP26 in November 2021, as a single universal tool to collect data and report on how construction is reducing its carbon emissions.

For the first time, CLC has assessed each of the nine priorities across Transport, Buildings and Construction to see if the industry is on track.

Construction Carbon Emissions Progress

The 6th Update shows progress across several areas, including:

• Transport: Publication of a Zero Diesel route-map to reduce the industry’s reliance on diesel across sites, whilst noting further work on electric vehicles is needed, echoing the Committee on Climate Change’s CCC concerns on van sales.
• Buildings: Continued upskilling on heat pump installers in line with reaching the 2030 target.
• Construction: Publication of a carbon intensity benchmark on concrete, enabling industry to measure its impact.

However, areas where progress needs to be accelerated if the buildings sector is to reach zero emissions by 2050, include domestic retrofit. The report says the work of the newly established National Retrofit Hub and its focus on consumer engagement and education to drive demand will be important.

The authors say continued progress should be expected around measurement of operational and embodied carbon. Building type benchmarks for all asset classes are expected to be launched by 2024. Additionally, they expect progress on giving customers low carbon choices to reach Net Zero by offering low carbon design options and advice from EPD’s to retrofit.

CO₂nstruct Zero

Over 220 organisations have now joined CO₂nstruct Zero as Business Champions or Partners, having demonstrated carbon reduction leadership. They are sharing good practice and collectively leading the sector’s progress to Net Zero.

For example, the report cites Bradfords Building Supplies’ Employee Retention Scheme which offers staff free home energy assessments and an end-to-end retrofit plan linking to CO₂nstruct Zero priority 4. It will enable employees to understand the customer journey and advise first hand.

It also shows the Environment Agency’s scheme to reduce embodied carbon by 45% through BIM analytics and carbon workflow on a tidal barrier. The design protects 13,000 homes and businesses from tidal flooding – an area that can be linked back to CO₂nstruct Zero priority 7.

The final case study from Keltbray aligns to CO₂nstruct Zero priority 1 and outlines the benefits on reduced fuel cost and emissions, improved air quality and less noise from site decarbonisation through electrification. They were able to swap out fuel generators with Temporary Building Supply (TBS) that supplies electric power directly from the mains on several major London construction sites.

Nusrat Ghani, Department for Business and Trade Minister said: “Cutting carbon emissions in construction is crucial for achieving net zero by 2050, and that’s why I’m pleased to see the latest Construct Zero report demonstrate the great work being done across the sector to help achieve this and make UK construction fit for the future.”

Matt Palmer, Executive Director of the Lower Thames Crossing (CLC’s Net Zero and Biodiversity Industry Sponsor) added: “Today’s 6th Co₂nstruct Zero report sets out the latest progress from the construction sector in meeting the Net Zero challenge.

“We have a considerable way to go on this journey, as echoed by the Independent Committee for Climate Change’s recent progress report. Challenges exist, such as accelerating the number of retrofit co-ordinators and we will be working with the National Retrofit Hub to explore this further.

“I would like to thank all our Business Champions and Partners for their support”.

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