Net Zero Progress Praised in Construction Industry

AT A VIRTUAL global business summit, the construction industry’s contribution to achieving Net Zero was recognised.

Kwasi Kwarteng Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy commended construction at the Business 7 Summit (or ‘B7’). The meeting includes around 60 CEO’s from leading UK and companies across the G7 countries, and feeds into the influential G7 Summit programme.

The concluding session aimed to identify how government and business can work together to address global challenges in climate, digital and health.

The Secretary of State set out his priorities and views on business leadership, highlighting that over 58 UK construction businesses have already signed-up to Race to Zero.

Kwasi Kwarteng also highlighted the built environment consultancy businesses who have committed to ambitious Net Zero design options and advice to their clients. This means that the advice received by financiers, asset owners and operators will now be driving towards Net Zero choices.

Leading Emissions Cuts

Kwasi Kwarteng said: “The UK’s construction and engineering industries are leading the world in the drive to cut emissions, and I am thrilled to see so many businesses from all over the globe share this ambition.

“The commitments made at this summit will support the construction industry to make this essential low carbon transition. I look forward to working closely with the sector and the Construction Leadership Council on this journey.”

Lydia Parnell, global corporate social responsibility lead, Turner & Turner, welcomed the recognition of the construction industry for its collective commitment to Net Zero. She said: “It has never been more important or more urgent to demonstrate our ability to collaborate and transform our industry and tackle the climate emergency head on.

“At Turner & Townsend, we are integrating the climate agenda into our entire service offer, developing digital tools to support this move and investing in specialist expertise to design out carbon at every stage of the asset lifecycle. We are particularly proud of our work on retrofitting; making sure that existing built assets are fit for the future.

“As a company, we have set verified Science-based Targets and have invested in natural climate solutions that will see us become Net Zero by 2030 at the latest. Our strategy meets the criteria for the Race to Net Zero commitment making us one of very few that have not only made the commitment, but have a verified strategy to make it happen.”

>> Read more about Net Zero targets in the construction industry in the news