New data shows that construction is living up to its COP 26 carbon promises

The UK construction sector is making good progress on its commitments to drive carbon out of its activities according to the latest comprehensive review of the industry’s carbon reduction priorities.

The Construction Leadership Council has published its 5th update to its Construct Zero Performance Framework.

The framework was launched at the COP26 climate conference in November 2021 as a single universal tool to collect and report on how construction is tackling the carbon challenge.

The performance framework includes 31 metrics across nine priority areas, each of which tells a story of how the sector are managing down carbon emissions across construction activities, the resulting buildings and structures, and the transport of products and materials.

There is good evidence of positive change, including increases in:

• the industry’s electric van fleet,
• reductions in waste,
• offsite or ‘pre-manufactured value’
• the number of trained heat pump installers.

Perhaps most positively, the industry is bucking wider trends, with significant improvements in productivity. Better productivity is at the cornerstone of carbon reduction, and the Construct Zero programme will shortly be launching a dedicated project to firm up the evidence of this link.

We will also shortly be publishing our first Zero Diesel route map, setting firm plans for how the sector can wean itself off high—carbon diesel to fuel its processes and machinery.

CLC Deputy Co-Chair Richard Robinson said: “It is one thing for the industry to write reports and issue recommendations, but we have an obligation to deliver on our commitments if construction is going to play its leading role in achieving net zero carbon in the UK economy.

“While there is still a huge amount to do, I am delighted by the progress we’re already making working with organisations across our sector and beyond.”

Construct Zero Programme Director Hannah Vickers said: “While today’s report is heartening for the progress that it shows, it should act as inspiration for the sector to move forward together faster. We still have enormous challenges to overcome, and we can only do so together.

“I want to thank everyone, including our Programme and Advisory Boards, Business Champions and Partners, together with the Department for Business and Trade Construction Team, for the work that they have done so far, and also for the work that we can all do together in the years to come.”