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Carbon can be used in a number of different ways on construction sites and while there is a vast amount of resources coming available for management level to look at strategy of reducing carbon on construction projects there is less available to bring the conversation to the general workforce. With a lack of toolbox talks aimed at the workforce which include…

This contractor is using STEICOflex, which is a low carbon insulation made from a flexible wood fibre insulation. Its excellent thermal properties help reduce heating costs and CO2 emissions and due to photosynthesis, STEICOflex also stores CO2: trees absorb CO2 during photosynthesis and the carbon stays in the end product. The product is also carbon negative as more CO2 is…

There are many different drivers to reducing and eliminating waste on construction projects. A simple way of reducing waste where possible, and significantly reducing the numbers of vehicles coming to and from site from waste removal is a compactor or baler. Cardboard and plastic waste being baled not only saves space on site, but reduces costs in skips and decreases…

As part of the construction of the Canada Water Dock Boardwalk, instead of using new steel tubular piles to support the boardwalk, this contractor is using stock materials of gas pipe as support piles. This has negated the need to have new piles made, not only cutting down on costs of new steel but reducing the carbon footprint of the…

The environmental specialist on this project is active in the Dock assessing and reporting on the situation in relation to the wildlife and any factors that may have an impact, caused by the project. To enable the specialist to get as close to the wildlife as possible they have provided a battery powered small boat. The benefits of the boat…

To reduce vehicle movements to and from site and improve their carbon footprint, this contractor has engaged with a supplier to use an electric crusher on site for the re-use of material. Noise, dust and vibration is at an absolute minimum in comparison to using a fully diesel generator operated crusher. To find out more, click the link below.

A new method for carbon reduction in typically intensive new materials was implemented by this contractor, putting circular economy principles into practice. Materials Passports are digital documents that report everything you need to know about the building’s component parts to facilitate future re-use at a much-reduced carbon count. Taking waste from one project and using it as a resource for…

Tunnelling works such as those involved in the London Underground extension can pose a number of logistical concerns and safety risks. See the examples below for how one site addressed this: Used Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastic (GFRP) in concrete invert reinforcement bases at the step plate junction. GFRP reinforcement is 75% lighter than traditional steel reinforcement. The weight reduction reduced…

By returning HDPE membrane off-cuts from site to Newton headquarters in Tonbridge via backloads, the material is then initially processed in-house. Working closely with the UK’s largest non-profit recycling organisation RECOUP in order to set up the necessary relationships with both a plastics reprocessor and an end-manufacturer who will use the recycled material. Newton is the first waterproofing materials supplier…

Climate change is an issue which affects us all, and construction sites must be mindful of their contribution to this process. Specifically, sites should monitor their carbon emissions and make efforts to reduce and offset these emissions where possible. See the examples below for how one site addressed this issue: Implemented a carbon sequestration initiative, which refers to carbon capture…

Solutions to the climate and ecological crises already exist, but they are often not common knowledge or widely applied. UKGBC’s Solutions Library provides a central resource to showcase solutions to shared sustainability challenges across the built environment. It intends to increase awareness of tried and tested solutions to promote their adoption and scaling across the industry. The Solutions Library features…

The UK Green Building Council’s (UKGBC’s) Case Study Library showcases built environment projects that demonstrate best practice and key learnings in one or more of the UKGBC impact areas: Climate Change Mitigation, Climate Change Adaptation, Nature, Resource Use and Health, Wellbeing & Social Value. The resource aims to foster greater understanding across the industry about the ways in which different…

This contractor has created an embodied carbon model for the project at RIBA Stage 4, using OneClick LCA. The results show that the embodied emissions will be 727 kg CO2e/m2. As the project progresses, this model is being updated to reflect final quantities of materials procured, all environmental product declarations use on the project and final site emissions data. This…

This contractor hired three Ampd Enertainer batteries, to power three tower cranes. These batteries were initially trialled in Hong Kong and Singapore. Following their success, they came to the Olympia Redevelopment as the first deployment in Europe. To date they have saved over 19t of carbon, and are estimated to save 192t of carbon in one year. They are 32x…

This contractor has made an online net zero dairy which is available to all via their website. This is the first construction diary which honestly and openly advises about their detailed net zero journey and where the business and wider industry are on the journey. The diary aims to share best practice but also highlight areas where the industry needs…