Climate

Reducing Our Carbon Footprint 

Our Carbon Management Programme places a strong emphasis on reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions, which represent direct emissions from our operations and indirect emissions from purchased electricity. 

 Specific Targets and Actions 

To achieve a net-zero emissions for our own operational activities (Scope 1 & 2) by 2050, compared to our 2019 baseline, we are focusing on three key areas: 

We are committed to eliminating emissions from our company fleet by 2032. To reach this goal, we have: 

• Accelerated the Introduction of Electric Vehicle: All new company-leased cars ordered since mid-2023 are fully electric. 

• Enhanced our Mobility Policy: Our Sustainable Business Travel Policy, implemented in 2023, promotes low-emission transportation options. 

• Pioneering Electric Utility Vehicles: We are testing the feasibility of electric utility vehicles for on-site use. 

We are dedicated to powering our operations with 100% renewable electricity by the end of 2025. This includes our offices, production facilities, and projects where we have direct control over energy contracts. Additionally, some of our offices in the Netherlands and Belgium are low-energy buildings, contributing to overall energy efficiency. 

To minimise emissions from construction sites and heavy equipment, we are taking the following steps: 

• Sustainable construction site standards: We are implementing basic sustainable construction site standards in the Netherlands, serving as a foundation for wider adoption. 

• Electrifying heavy equipment: We have acquired all-electric telescopic crawler cranes and electric rotative telehandlers, demonstrating our commitment to low-emission equipment. 

• Exploring alternative fuels: We are testing hydrogen-powered generators and hydrotreated vegetable oil as potential alternative fuels for construction equipment. 

We will continue to monitor our progress and adapt our strategies as new technologies and opportunities emerge. 

Scope 3 emissions, generated from our value chain, represent a significant portion of our overall carbon footprint. The analysis of our European Business Unit has identified purchased goods and services and business travel as key areas for targeted emission reduction strategies. 

Purchased goods and services: A Collaborative Approach 

To reduce our emissions, we are implementing a multifaceted strategy focusing on key material categories: ready-mix concrete, rebar, structural steel, and steel sheet piles.  

• Design optimisation: We prioritise design optimisation to minimise material usage while maintaining structural integrity. 

• Sustainable material selection: Our engineering department meticulously selects the most sustainable ready-mix concrete design for each project, considering factors like embodied carbon and durability. 

We have integrated our Scope 3 reduction strategy across all phases of construction: 

• Design: During the design phase, we use Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the carbon footprint of proposed solutions. By incorporating carbon footprint as a key design parameter, we optimise designs for minimal environmental impact. Additionally, we create material passports in conjunction with Building Information Modelling (BIM) to centralise environmental data, facilitating long-term reuse and recycling. 

• Build: Beyond using low-emission equipment and alternative fuels, we prioritise the use of low-impact building materials through a sustainable supply chain. We are actively exploring alternatives to traditional materials like ready-mix concrete, rebar, and structural steel. 

• Operations & Maintenance: Our focus extends to the operational phase, where we develop smart building solutions leveraging artificial intelligence to minimise energy consumption, optimise energy usage, and ensure long-term maintenance. 

• Supplier Engagement: Through our Supplier Sustainability Forum, we maintain open dialogue with key suppliers of carbon-intensive materials like steel and concrete. This collaboration fosters innovation and drives emissions reductions throughout the supply chain. 

• Industry Partnerships: We are an active member of an ADEB-VBA workgroup dedicated to reducing emissions from ready-mix concrete and steel. By working alongside industry peers, we accelerate progress towards a low carbon built environment. 

• Pioneering Innovation: In partnership with clients, fellow construction companies, research institutions, and universities, we are at the forefront of innovative projects aimed at reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Our involvement in projects like 3D2BGreen and Smartincs demonstrates our commitment to developing groundbreaking solutions for the construction industry.