Businesses commit to carbon reduction

A number of additional signatories have been welcomed to the Infrastructure Carbon Review. The signatories are Thames Tideway Tunnel, Lafarge Tarmac, Temple Group, Kier Infrastructure and Barhale Trant Utilities.

The ICR is a joint industry government initiative that aims to make carbon reduction a key part of infrastructure construction in the UK. Since its launch in 2013, it has received the support of 30 organisations. The savings from the initiative could reach an annual saving of 24 million tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2050. This would equate to £1.46 billion a year and makes a significant contribution to the Construction Leadership Council’s 50% carbon reduction aims for 2025.

Nick Boles, BIS Minister said:

“All the evidence shows that cutting carbon is good for business. That’s why companies responsible for some of the country’s largest infrastructure projects have made this important commitment. Companies like HS2 Ltd, National Grid, Skanska and their supply chains are leading the way in efforts to reduce carbon, saving valuable resources as well as reducing costs. I’d like to extend this challenge to infrastructure companies and organisations across the UK so they can claim their share of the economic rewards of reducing carbon.” Peter Hansford, Government Chief Construction Adviser and member of the Green Construction Board added:

“I am pleased to see the enthusiastic support of clients and suppliers across the infrastructure sector. The individual commitments they have made will go a long way towards achieving our ambitions of reducing cost and carbon emissions in the built environment over the next decade. I encourage others to come on-board.” Thames Tideway Tunnel’s Environment Manager, Suzanne Burgoyne said:

“We are proud to pledge to lower our carbon emissions as part of our project to tackle pollution of the tidal River Thames. Through the Infrastructure Carbon Review we are demonstrating our commitment to low carbon and the protection of the wider environment.”