{"id":472575,"date":"2023-02-03T06:50:36","date_gmt":"2023-02-03T06:50:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.constructionnews.co.uk\/?p=472575"},"modified":"2023-02-06T15:02:22","modified_gmt":"2023-02-06T15:02:22","slug":"action-figures-survey-finds-industry-response-to-sustainability-is-lacking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.constructionnews.co.uk\/sponsored\/action-figures-survey-finds-industry-response-to-sustainability-is-lacking-03-02-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Action figures: Survey finds industry response to sustainability is \u2018lacking\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"When Construction News partnered with Speedy to survey readers and hold a panel discussion on the industry’s response to environmental challenges, the consensus was clear \u2013 a lot more needs to be done<\/b><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

A<\/span>n overwhelming majority of companies in the construction sector have pledged positive action on decarbonisation over the last year. But according to a Construction News<\/i> readers survey on sustainability \u2013 commissioned by tool and equipment hire services company Speedy \u2013 the industry\u2019s response to environmental challenges so far leaves much to be desired. <\/span><\/p>\n

Two-thirds of respondents say activity to date has been either \u201csomewhat lacking\u201d or \u201ctotally inadequate\u201d. This is despite industry groups, including the Construction Leadership Council with its Co2nstruct Zero initiative, promoting collaboration and setting priorities for the sector to hit the government\u2019s net-zero by 2050 target.<\/span><\/p>\n

The survey results were discussed by a panel of specialists at an event on 12 October 2022, where a similar consensus was reached about the slow progress. The \u2018Accelerating Sustainability\u2019 session took place at Speedy\u2019s annual Expo event in Liverpool, which brings together Speedy\u2019s key suppliers, customers, colleagues and industry experts, chaired by Mike Walter of CN<\/em>\u2019s content delivery partner Barrett Byrd Associates.<\/p>\n

\"\"

The speakers (l-r): Speedy director of environmental social governance Amelia Woodley; Milwaukee national account manager Andrew Hulme; Supply Chain Sustainability School chair Shaun McCarthy OBE; Siemens category director David Campbell; Morgan Sindall group procurement director Graham Edgell<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cI\u2019m leaning towards agreeing with the \u2018totally inadequate\u2019 camp,\u201d said Supply Chain Sustainability School chair and founder of consultancy Action Sustainability Shaun McCarthy, commenting on the industry response question. He noted that although the drive to net-zero is now high on the industry\u2019s agenda, \u201cwe have known about this for a long time and as a sector we have been far too slow to adopt all the technologies and the ideas that are available\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m encouraged by what I\u2019ve seen in the last 12 months or so,\u201d he continued, \u201cbut it is still too slow and we need to accelerate that change.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Speedy director of environmental social governance Amelia Woodley agreed with the need to pick up the pace on action towards net-zero and encouraged efforts to phase out fossil fuels in particular. She suggested that 20 years ago, sustainability \u201cwasn\u2019t in the conversation\u201d and only in the last few years has it \u201creally become apparent that this is needed going forward\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think there has been progress,\u201d she told the session. \u201cWe are just not moving quickly enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

A sizeable problem<\/span><\/h3>\n

Some survey respondents feel that larger contractors are making good progress on decarbonisation but some smaller firms have been much slower to react. Others fear environmental issues are being pushed to the back of the queue due to the current commercial crisis. However, Siemens category director David Campbell said he took encouragement from the fact that over a third of participants believed the industry\u2019s approach had been at least somewhat thorough, adding that a few years ago the figure would have been much lower.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201c<\/span>We do need to do things faster and there has to be huge investment to make it happen\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

David Campbell, Siemens<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Further survey results indicate that half of respondents are either somewhat or very confident that the industry can respond fully to the net-zero by 2050 challenge. But Campbell acknowledged: \u201cWe do need to do things faster and there has to be significant investment to make it happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Those surveyed who are optimistic about reaching net-zero feel that the issue is being taken seriously and, with the right drivers and investment, the industry will achieve what is needed. One respondent said: \u201cWe are a unique industry that can respond well to every eventuality. Take Covid for example; we found solutions to keep working and made it happen.\u201d Another said: \u201cWe have been working towards it for some time now and in the same way that we have improved health and safety, we will achieve this.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, reasons for pessimism include a \u201cperceived additional cost of low-carbon activities\u201d as well as a shortage of necessary skills to lead the transition and a need for further advances in technology. Indeed, 50 per cent of participants selected remaining cost-competitive as the biggest barrier in taking action on sustainability, with 21 per cent choosing a lack of technology-readiness. One respondent added: \u201cWe have a public-sector customer base who do not fully understand what they want or need. We are giving them an array of options, yet they still struggle to make decisions. This is stifling progress.\u201d<\/p>\n

Why go green?<\/span><\/h3>\n

When attention turned to businesses\u2019 biggest drivers of sustainability action, panellists at the Speedy Expo welcomed that \u201cdoing the right thing\u201d came out as the top result. \u201cI think this is high on the agenda for most organisations,\u201d said David Campbell. \u201cPeople are looking at sustainability not just from a carbon perspective, but from a social perspective too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

\u201c<\/span>It is all very well to want to do the right thing, until you have a finance director who doesn\u2019t. It needs to be continuous throughout an organisation\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Shaun McCarthy OBE, Supply Chain <\/b><\/span>Sustainability School<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Woodley said she was surprised but encouraged by the finding, as she had expected legislation to be the sector\u02bcs main reason for action: \u201cThis is really positive and we should reflect on the fact people want to do the right thing and want to do business in an ethical, responsible way and give back to our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Power tools specialist Milwaukee\u2019s national account manager Andrew Hulme said his firm is seeing sustainability goals placed \u201cvery much at the forefront\u201d of customer requirements.<\/p>\n

Keeping the clients happy<\/span><\/h3>\n

The survey also reveals that \u201cmeeting client requirements\u201d is the key driver for 28 per cent of respondents, while very few see improving productivity or cutting costs as the most important factor. A further finding is that 85 per cent of firms have experienced increasing tender requirements around sustainability in the last 12 months.<\/p>\n

At the Speedy Expo, Morgan Sindall group procurement director Graham Edgell was asked whether more young people will be attracted to the construction sector as it demonstrates its environmental awareness. He said he thought they would, adding that the industry should be \u201cproud\u201d it is behind the sustainability agenda.<\/span><\/p>\n

McCarthy added that the sector has an opportunity to reposition itself around sustainable development to attract bright young talent, who want roles that involve tackling climate change. However, he also warned: \u201cIt is all very well to want to do the right thing, until you have a finance director who doesn\u2019t. It needs to be continuous throughout an organisation.\u201d<\/p>\n

When asked whether the survey results indicate that few in the sector fully appreciate the potential cost-cutting or productivity benefits of greater sustainability action, he responded: \u201cI couldn\u2019t agree more. Clearly, operating more efficiently is operating more sustainability.\u201d<\/p>\n

Survey participants also gave their views on what the industry\u2019s top focus should be to reduce carbon emissions. Making more efficient use of materials in project design came out as the most prominent choice. Procurement of lower-carbon materials and products, increased recycling and reuse of materials, and greater adoption of low-emission construction plant and machinery also received support.<\/span><\/p>\n

When asked what the government can do to support decarbonisation in the sector, mandating whole-life carbon assessments for projects and supporting research and development into lower-carbon materials and products came out top.<\/p>\n

Getting the right data<\/span><\/h3>\n

Earlier this year, the UK\u2019s Climate Change Committee\u2019s annual progress report said poor availability of relevant emissions data \u201ccritically limits monitoring and evaluation of policy implementation\u201d. It added that additional data collection and reporting is needed to allow progress on energy and materials efficiency, fuel-switching and for whole-life carbon to be tracked.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201c<\/span>Supply chain data is not readily available… We have to collaborate, we have to find solutions and we have to share data\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Amelia Woodley, Speedy<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The committee\u2019s concerns were backed up by the survey results, which reveal that while most companies are familiar with the concepts of embodied carbon, scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and whole-life carbon assessment, a majority are not confident in their ability to measure emissions along their supply chains.<\/p>\n

Campbell suggested that many in the industry have a good handle on their scope 1 and 2 emissions \u2013 those which can be directly controlled by a business \u2013 but the key difficulty arises when it comes to measuring indirect scope 3 emissions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sources of scope 3 emissions include carbon embodied in the manufacturing and transportation of purchased materials as well as business travel and employee commuting. <\/span>Obtaining this data and measuring it in a \u2018standardised\u2019 way is a \u201chuge challenge\u201d, he said. \u201cBut it is starting to happen, we are seeing it now in logistics.\u201d<\/p>\n

Woodley said: \u201cWe collect data on the fuel that we put in our vehicles and energy used by our properties, but supply chain data is not readily available.\u201d<\/p>\n

She said Speedy is starting to ask suppliers for carbon data but, \u201cit is very early days and we are all in the same boat. We have to collaborate, we have to find solu tions and we have to share data.\u201d <\/span>She said embodied carbon data would be a \u201ckey differentiator\u201d for products. \u201cWe know the data can tell us eco is the best way to go,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

Hulme said: \u201cMilwaukee\u2019s tools probably have zero emissions at the point of use. But clearly there is embodied carbon in there that we need to factor in.\u201d He said the firm has a 2030 target to achieve a 60 per cent reduction in its carbon footprint compared with 2021. \u201cWe are confident we are moving in the right direction, but this is still in its infancy so there is a long way to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Morgan Sindall\u2019s Edgell noted a further problem is that there are \u201c35-plus\u201d carbon calculators available in the industry, \u201cand not one of them is third-party audited as being correct\u201d.<\/p>\n

McCarthy said a key step in measuring embodied carbon must be to \u201cunderstand what our supply chain is\u201d, with construction felt to be lagging behind other sectors in this. \u201cAs an industry, beyond tier one and tier two we don\u2019t know where our supply chain goes. There is much more work to do to understand what that supply chain is before we can answer what the emissions are.\u201d<\/p>\n

Economic shocks<\/span><\/h3>\n

The current inflationary pressures and escalating energy prices have led some in the industry to speculate that the sustainability agenda may be forced to take a back seat while firms struggle
\nfor survival.<\/p>\n

However, the survey found positive signs that this may not be the case \u2013 indeed, an unintended consequence of the global price hikes could be that businesses are placing an increased focus on greener, less energy-intensive ways of working.<\/p>\n

Three-quarters of respondents said rising oil and energy prices have made them more likely to invest in low-carbon technology and equipment, while nearly 90 per cent said it is making them think more urgently about the need to reduce energy usage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Milwaukee\u2019s Hulme said that the rising prices have had an impact on customers\u2019 perception of the tools they use from an energy perspective. \u201cIt is now about trying to convince the end user of the benefits of the products we have.\u201d<\/p>\n

Woodley pointed out that investments in green technology and equipment often come with a higher upfront cost. \u201cBut when you look at sustainability from a whole-life cost-perspective, over a long period of time it does actually pay back,\u201d she emphasised. But Shaun McCarthy warned that many small businesses in the sector are struggling to absorb the current economic shocks. \u201cSadly, some won\u2019t survive this crisis,\u201d he said. <\/span><\/p>\n

Panellists were finally asked what they would say to the prime minister regarding efforts to achieve greater sustainability. \u201cFor me it would be about not scaling back,\u201d responded Amelia. \u201cWe have to keep pushing to get to that net-zero outcome.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n

End in sight for fossil-fuelled plant<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Adoption of lower-carbon plant and machinery is set to play a critical role in efforts to decarbonise construction, with companies such as Speedy making good progress to ensure sustainable options are available. However, the UK is felt to be a slow adopter of these greener machines and a sparsity of infrastructure for recharging and refuelling is seen as a significant barrier.<\/p>\n

Despite this, participants in the \u2018Accelerating Sustainability\u2019 session in Liverpool were encouraged by the CN<\/i> survey results, with 60 per cent of respondents saying their company\u2019s use of low-carbon construction plant or machinery has increased in the last year.<\/p>\n

An overwhelming 87 per cent also said they are planning to increase this in the next 12 months. \u201cThis is a massive opportunity when you think about the climate-change agenda,\u201d said Speedy director of environmental social governance Amelia Woodley, adding that the firm has made strides in providing solar, battery and hydrogen-powered equipment. \u201cWe absolutely have to take fossil fuels out,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

She added that tailpipe emissions are only one part of the challenge and the company is working with consultant Hydrock to understand the whole-life carbon impact of its products.<\/p>\n

Shaun McCarthy of Action Sustainability noted that one problem facing firms keen to buy into lower-emissions technology is around charging infrastructure. \u201cIf you have nowhere to plug it in, it isn\u2019t a lot of use,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

David Campbell from Siemens agreed. \u201cThere needs to be a huge investment to get that infrastructure right,\u201d he said. \u201cI think it will happen, it needs to happen, but you can\u2019t afford to move slowly.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When Construction News partnered with Speedy to survey readers and hold a panel discussion on the industry’s response to environmental challenges, the consensus was clear \u2013 a lot more needs to be done An overwhelming majority of companies in the construction sector have pledged positive action on decarbonisation over the last year. But according to …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":472694,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ep_exclude_from_search":false},"categories":[593,556],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n