Mace has reached its target to become a net zero carbon business in 2020.
The construction firm said it had driven down its carbon emissions “as far as possible” across its developments and operations and had offset the remaining emissions.
It has now set out new targets as part of its 2026 business strategy, which is due to be launched in February.
Mace reduced its carbon emissions by 50% across the year, achieved through a variety of trials and initiatives, including a 75% increase in renewable energy, a 75% reduction in business travel emissions, a ban on diesel generators, and an increase in the use of cement alternatives.
Its remaining carbon emissions have been offset through investment projects led by sustainability consultancy Carbon Footprint. The offsets have been divided across six international programmes, including decarbonising electricity grids through solar power and wind farms in India, providing support and equipment to remote communities in Africa to improve their energy efficiency, reducing deforestation in Brazil and supporting reforestation in the UK.
Mace has additionally offset estimated carbon emissions associated with its employees moving to home working as a result of the global pandemic.
Mark Reynolds, group chief executive at Mace, said: “I’m delighted that we have realised our ambition in the same year that we set our target. My hope is that our net zero carbon position will inspire the industry to take greater action as a whole. Only by working together, sharing our learning and supporting each other’s efforts will we make the difference that’s needed.
“Our journey doesn’t end here. Our commitment to sustainability sits front and centre of our new five-year business strategy. We have new, tougher targets that will see us reduce our carbon footprint by 10% each year and deliver biodiversity net gain with the creation of 500 hectares of new habitat. Equally, in 2021, we will look beyond our own footprint and continue to support and measure helping our clients reduce their carbon footprint and scope 3 emissions.”
