Balfour launches roadmap to zero-carbon construction site

Balfour Beatty, the international infrastructure group, today shines a light on the future of construction by launching its roadmap towards a zero-carbon construction site, harnessing the spirit of innovation and demonstrating the art of the possible for the Edinburgh Biomes project at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE).

The company has been commissioned by the RBGE to help deliver its landmark development project, Edinburgh Biomes. The project includes improving the energy efficiency of the Garden’s iconic Glasshouses and constructing new facilities which will help to reduce the organisation’s carbon footprint and provide a safe bio-secure propagation environment.  

Leo Quinn, Balfour Beatty Group Chief Executive, said: “Balfour Beatty set out its vision for the construction site of the future in 2017. But with the growing importance of the climate change emergency, we know we need to take decisive action now.

“We are proud to be at the forefront of this critical movement; leading the way in making the UK a world leader in carbon reduction and supporting our industry in delivering the infrastructure for a Net Zero world.”

Commenting on Balfour Beatty’s innovative initiative, Kwasi Kwarteng Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, said: "Balfour Beatty’s 'Towards Zero Carbon Construction Site' is an outstanding example of the level of ambition needed to achieve our climate goals.

“It’s inspiring to see a UK business raising the bar for net-zero construction sites, helping us all to build back greener.”

Reducing scope 1,2, and 3 emissions during construction

Recognising that an estimated 80% of the company’s carbon dioxide emissions are generated from its supply chain, Balfour Beatty will be focusing on reducing scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions associated with the construction phase of the project. In doing so, the company will not only be monitoring its own emissions, but those emissions associated with its supply chains on-site activities, the embodied carbon of materials used, emissions generated from transport vehicles to and from site, as well as waste generated.

Demonstrating its commitment to ensuring the industry moves towards a net-zero world, together, the company will be freely sharing its progress – including learnings, opportunities, and obstacles – with customers, supply chain partners, and government through a dedicated website, to easily share the progress the company is making on its journey.

Today’s launch is one of a number of Balfour Beatty’s activities in the lead-up to COP26 as it demonstrates how the company, alongside its partners and customers, can truly shift the dial and help to decarbonise the construction and infrastructure industry.

Wider activities include its Carbon Conscious training programme, which helps employees to improve their understanding of the carbon costs and impacts of their behaviours; a Digital Innovation Hub demonstrating the company’s digital activities including virtual reality, virtual twins and digital project control rooms; and a Sustainable Evolution event which highlights a broad range of innovative solutions from across the company, from electric plant and vehicles through to modern methods of construction and simulators which help to reduce scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.