The six biggest infrastructure companies in the UK have set phase-out dates for fossil fuel use.
Anglian Water, Heathrow, Lower Thames Crossing, National Highways, Northumbrian Water and Sellafield have signed up to the Construction Leadership Council’s (CLC) Five Client Carbon Commitments towards achieving net zero.
These companies are expected to invest tens of billions into UK infrastructure over the next decade.
The pledges cover the largest-emitting areas in infrastructure delivery, including ending the use of diesel on construction sites (by transitioning to alternative energy sources such as diesel replacements, green hydrogen, and electric-powered plant) and shifting to the lowest-carbon sources of concrete and steel.
The five pledges included in the CLC’s roadmap are:
- Procure for low-carbon construction and provide incentives in contracts;
- Set phase-out dates for fossil fuel use;
- Eliminate the most carbon-intensive concrete products;
- Eliminate the most carbon-intensive steel products;
- Sign up to PAS 2080, allowing a common standard in carbon management and reporting.
When are the companies phasing out fossil fuels?
The companies have set the dates by which their construction sites will achieve the levels established by the diesel-free sites ‘A’ scale. This means biofuels and fossil fuels will not be used and hydrogen-derived fuels will comply with the UK Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard.
- Anglian Water – diesel-free sites by 2035 and a commitment to be carbon neutral by 2050.
- Heathrow – the airport’s long-term stretch target is to have diesel-free sites by 2040.
- Lower Thames Crossing – all construction sites to have zero emissions with no fossil or biofuels used on site by 2027.
- National Highways – diesel-free sites by 2030. It also aims to achieve net zero for construction and maintenance by 2040.
- Northumbrian Water – diesel-free sites by 2040. The utility company has committed to achieve net-zero emissions (Scope 1, 2 and 3) by 2050.
- Sellafield – diesel-free sites by 2030.
CLC expects other major industry clients to sign the pledges in the coming months, including East West Rail, National Grid, the Environment Agency and the Houses of Parliament (restoration and renewal).
