Decarbonizing Construction in the UK

A recent review of carbon associated with delivery of flood risk management schemes showed that concrete represents over half of the construction carbon footprint on Environment Agency projects. The research study by Jacobs and supply chain partners on behalf of the Environment Agency summarized the current carbon impacts of concrete and its use in the U.K., investigated alternatives, and provided recommendations for reducing the associated carbon footprint.

At the start of the study, although there was an industry-wide drive to reduce carbon emissions from concrete, there wasn’t a wide strategy for the fast and effective decarbonization of concrete use. Individual organizations have set different targets, and emission reductions are achieved through diverse initiatives. Our report is a compendium of industry-wide research and new products available in the U.K. with a focus on the opportunities to reduce carbon in the use of concrete, steel reinforcement and other materials.

Results of our research and impact on the industry

Within the constraints of the current standards in the U.K. for traditional concrete mix components and experience in its use, the research reports the possibility for reducing the carbon footprint through the increased use of secondary cementitious materials (SCM) replacements in existing standard mixes. While this will help reduce carbon emissions, there are alternative products with much lower carbon impacts than traditional mixes.

These novel, ultra-low concretes don’t currently fall within the specifications of BS8500 – the British Standard for specifying and producing concrete, though work is ongoing to demonstrate adequate performance with a view to updating the standards soon.

To help reduce carbon associated with concrete, Jacobs worked with the Environment Agency to develop a risk-based approach to adopt new non-code compliant, concrete technologies in its assets where appropriate. The report suggested blockers to the use of new technology. It also developed approaches to target-setting, design guidance, decision-making processes, specific advice on risk management, wider engagement, and creating an environment that delivers innovation and change through engagement with the supply chain.

Working together, the Environment Agency, Jacobs and the Agency’s supply chain partners are progressing the recommendations for implementation. The Environment Agency has set up a nationwide low-carbon concrete Community of Practice to implement the changes to the specification, oversee project-based trials to further knowledge of the non-code compliant, ultra-low concrete and reinforcement alternatives, and liaise with suppliers, academics and other significant clients across the industry. The Community of Practice will also link into low-carbon initiatives with trade bodies such as the Infrastructure Industry Innovation Partnership (i3P), the Concrete Society and the Major Projects Authority to further the knowledge and understanding of these new products, help speed up widespread adoption and bring them within standards.

It is great to see an industry-wide approach emerging through the Green Construction Board's Low Carbon Concrete Group’s Low Carbon Concrete Routemap, recently launched. The Routemap examines how the infrastructure industry can use the latest tools, technologies and materials to continue using concrete while working towards a zero-carbon future. It makes wide-ranging recommendations for clients and industry in eight succinct strands, each forming a chapter of the full report.

The study has been recognized with the British Construction Industry award for the Carbon Net Zero Initiative of the Year.