Buildings in construction 6 - Carbon Action 2050€¦ · carBon action 2050 White papers Buildings...
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carBon action 2050 White papers From the chartered institute oF building
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Buildings in construction
april 2011
résumé
The list of ‘actions’ given below relating to the reduction of ‘capital
carbon’ (CapCarb) in construction is non-exhaustive and will be
dependent, in part, on the successful implementation of the ‘Onsite
Measurement, Monitoring & Targeting’ measures proposed in the
Strategic Forum for Construction (SFfC) and Carbon Trust’s (CT)
Carbon: Reducing the Footprint of the Construction Process
published in July 2010 (SFfC & CT 2010, §4.E).
The CO2 reduction measures required, however, go far beyond
the site entrance to include transportation and travel associated
with construction activities.
Given the magnitude and complexity of the challenges involved in
decarbonising the industry, it has been anticipated that Government
lead and orchestration will be necessary, partly through industry
regulation, but the success will also be factored by a co-ordinated and
collaborative participation by key stakeholders (i.e. Government &
agencies, SFfC, CT, sector bodies (i.e. CIOB), construction clients,
contracting firms, energy suppliers, manufacturers, hire companies,
freight companies, training providers, researchers and knowledge
network) (see IGT 2010[b], Figure 3.1; SFfC & CT 2010, §5.1). It is
likely that the ‘smart data’ captured from a multiplicity of construction
processes will be marshalled by sector organisations designated to
specific tasks i.e. SFfC, CT, UKCG, BRE Global, CEEQUAL Ltd,
Constructing Excellence, Glenigan, disseminated via Knowledge
Transfer Networks (KTN) and other mechanisms.
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A number of common Actions have been
recommended by the SFfC & CT:
• Public reporting (to inform the development of protocols,
benchmarks, budgets and targets);
• Establish a ‘Construction Site Greenhouse Gas Protocol’
(for assessing greenhouse gas emissions from construction
processes and associated transport);
• Investigate options for the collection of physical data in order
to develop emissions benchmarks relative to physical output
(construction and refurbishment works);
• Establish ‘Energy Use Profiles’ of projects through the initiation
of a scheme to sub-meter energy used on a representative range
of project sites;
• Establish good-practice benchmarks;
• Reward good practice through rating schemes
(e.g. BREEAM, CEEQUAL);
• Reward good practice through awards.
In order to move towards an industry-wide solution, it has been
proposed that the following benchmarks are established for the
construction phase of the following building types (with the same
benchmarks further developed for refurbishment, repair and
maintenance activities):
• Domestic: (tonnes CO2 per square metres gross floor-area
[m2 GFA]);
• Non-domestic: (tonnes CO2 per m2 GFA);
• Infrastructure (linear): (tonnes CO2 per km);
• Infrastructure (area): (tonnes CO2 per m2).
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introduction
It is widely recognised that successful compliance and implementation of the
Government’s UK Low Carbon Transition Plan (DECC 2009) will depend on
reaching deep into every aspect of the built environment (IGT 2010[b], §1.1),
including processes where the percentage total CO2 emissions are perceived
to be relatively low. The following report examines two such processes:
• Construction;
• Distribution.
According to the Innovation & Growth Team’s Final Report, construction and
distribution operations each accounted for only 1% of the CO2 footprint of UK
construction in 2008 (IGT 2010[b], Figure 2.5). While these operations represent a
minor portion of the ‘whole-life cycle’ emissions calculation they are, nevertheless,
responsible for the production of staggering quantities of CO2 and therefore
command radical action to facilitate their reduction.
With both construction and distribution elements, it is recognised that the
contractor is in a strategic position to make significant interventions in terms of
facilitating measures to reduce CO2 emissions (Green 2010). Furthermore, any
lessons learnt on site have the capacity to inform, as positive and negative
feedback, methods and procedures relating to other elements (e.g. the
buildability of energy-efficient designs), thus paving the way for a more
integrated construction sector, i.e. the entire supply-chain.
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policy context
The Climate Change Act (2008), with its five-year ‘carbon
budgeting system’, has placed a legal obligation on the
country to reduce its CO2 emissions, the parameters for
which are set out in the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan
(DECC 2009).
For the construction industry, a joint government/industry
initiative – The Strategic Forum for Construction (SFfC) –
has produced a Strategy for Sustainable Construction
(BERR 2008) as a way forward for delivering change in
the sustainability of the construction sector. From here, it
is the Government’s vision that UK construction industry
firmly establishes itself as a global leader in sustainable
design and build practice. It is emphasised that the
construction industry must help to take the lead for
the successful delivery of the Low Carbon Transition Plan,
rather then following it (IGT 2010[a], §9).
The Strategic Forum for Construction and the Carbon
Trust have recently produced a report Carbon: Reducing
the Footprint of the Construction Process (SFfC & CT 2010)
that proposes an ‘Action Plan’ for the means by which the
industry can implement a meaningful reduction in CO2
emissions from construction sites and associated transport
in England. Aimed at a range of stakeholders, namely
individual companies, sector bodies and public bodies,
the Action Plan is based on the Strategy for
Sustainable Construction (BERR 2008; SFfC & BIS 2009)
voluntary target for reducing CO2 emissions arising from
construction processes and associated transport by 15%
by 2012, i.e. when compared to 2008 levels (IGT 2010[b],
§2.9.2). It has been calculated that this 15% target
equates to approximately 750,000 tonnes of CO2 in
England alone (SFfC & CT 2010, Table 3). While the SFfC
& CT’s Action Plan target is intended for construction
processes in England, it can be anticipated that the actions
will also be applied elsewhere, thus forming a pan-UK
‘Knowledge Network’. They will also comprise actions
that, in cases, will be globally transferable
(IGT 2010[b], §2.11).
This report is based primarily on the recent findings of the
Strategic Forum for Construction (BERR 2008; SFfC & BIS
2009; SFfC & CT 2010) and Innovation & Growth Team
(IGT 2010[a] & [b]). This is not to ignore the significant
interventions (e.g. Latham Report, Egan Report) that have
taken place since the 1990s (summarised by
Wolstenholme [CE 2009]).
scope
While there exists a multitude of individual construction
activities that afford CO2 reduction measures (Charles
& Connolly 2005), four key areas have been identified as
representing the largest emissions sources for attaining
the Action Plan target (SFfC & CT 2010, §2.1):
• On-site construction (plant and equipment) and site
accommodation;
• Transport associated with the delivery of materials and
removal of waste;
• Business travel;
• Corporate offices.
Based on SFfC & CT Action Plan (SFfC & CT 2010),
the processes scoped-in to this report fall under the
two general headings of:
• Distribution;
• Assembly on site.
In the context of the Action Plan, these two elements
are presented as intermediary with two further elements
either side:
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design materials distriBution assemBly on site in use refurBishor product ormanufacture demolish
Not Not scoped in scoped in scoped out Not Not applicable to applicable to applicable to applicable tothis report this report Transport to Enabling works and Consolidation this report this report
and from site remediation centres
On-site plant and Plantequipment maintenance
Site Off-site waste, soil Accomodation and waste water
treatment
Fit-out and finishing Land-use change
Corporate offices Household/ small-scale fit-out andfinishing
Business travel Employee travel
Carbon storage inconstruction materials
Table 1: Scope construction processes included in this report (after SFfC & CT 2010, Fig. 1)
Buildings in construction carBon action 2050 White papers From the chartered institute oF building
The 750,000 tonne CO2 reduction target for 2012 noted
earlier is based on deliverables related to the following
actions (SFfC & CT 2010, Table 3):
• Energy-efficient site accommodation;
• Efficient use of construction plant;
• Earlier connection to the grid;
• Good practice energy-management on site;
• Fuel-efficient driving – freight,
• Fuel-efficient driving – waste removal,
• Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) –
freight and waste removal;
• Construction consolidation;
• Reducing the transport of waste;
• Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) –
business travel,
• Smart-driving training for business travel,
• Fleet conversion to fuel-efficient passenger vehicles,
• Restricting domestic flights;
• Good practice energy-management of corporate offices.
To complement the above, non-carbon-producing
processes include:
• On-site measurement, monitoring and targeting;
• Sharing knowledge about alternative sustainable fuels.
Essentially, the actions that will be examined below
constitute the ‘means’ by which the ‘ends’ (i.e. CO2
reductions) can be achieved. In this respect, data-capture
(e.g. from measured case-studies) and dissemination will
play a prominent role in informing the basis for evaluating
present actions (i.e. carbon accounting) and the
formulation of new actions and logistics strategies.
There exist a number of IT applications (e.g. BIM) and
approaches (e.g. lean processes) that have the capacity
to improve resource-efficiency, although these are not
discussed in this report (IGT 2010[b], §3.5.3, 6.1.1, 6.4.1
& 7.10.4).
No policy, however well-thought out, should constitute
the final word on the subject, and it will be important for
all to adopt a philosophy of introspection and self-critique
(acknowledging any shortcomings) and one that is
receptive to external criticism and inputs.
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Best practice guidance
A key precept of meeting the UK Government’s CO2
reduction targets (DECC 2009) is the improvement of
‘whole-life carbon’ through the adoption of good and
best-practice construction procurement and supply-side
integration. It is envisaged that this can be achieved in part
by the adoption of Construction Commitments (e.g. CE
2008[a] & [b]) by key stakeholders (SFfC & BIS 2009, §3).
Key to progress will also be the instigation of culture
change throughout the industry. The latter will entail a
behavioural change for all personnel working on
construction sites and in related activities (e.g. simple
measures such as ensuring doors are kept closed on
heated site-accommodation and turning off lighting/
equipment when not in use). Essentially, whatever the
level-of-impact, where opportunities arise to reduce
embodied energy (capital carbon), they should be
instigated and monitored.
‘Designed in’ sustainability will have major implications for
all elements of the Action Plan (SFfC & CT 2010), not least
those under discussion here, i.e. distribution and assembly
on-site. In addition to design and manufacture, there are
sustainability issues ‘beyond the factory gate’ that need
to be addressed by stakeholders. The baseline study for
2008 undertaken by Strategic Forum for Construction
and Carbon Trust focuses on the largest CO2 emissions
sources relating to construction-processes and associated
transport (SFfC & CT 2010, Table 2):
• Site activities 34%
• Freight transport 32%
• Business travel 15%
• Waste removals 10%
• Off-site assembly 5%
• Off-site offices 5%
It is also worth considering the contribution to CO2
emissions made by different project types that have been
identified in the aforementioned 2008 baseline study
(for Great Britain) (SFfC & CT 2010, Figure 3):
• Refurbishment & maintenance 36%
• New domestic 23%
• New infrastructure 13%
• New other non-domestic 12%
• New office 7%
• New education 4%
• New health 3%
• New shops 2%
It is acknowledged that CO2 efficiency measures are
already in place in these areas but further action by the
construction sector as a whole has the capacity to yield
further benefits for meeting targets set by the UK
Government.
The SFfC & CT (SFfC & CT 2010) have made the
following recommendations for actions:
energy efficient site accommodation (‘greencabins’) There exists practical and easily achieved ways of reducing
the CO2 footprint of construction-site accommodation:
• Use of new energy-efficient site accommodation;
• Retrofitting existing cabin stock before redeployment
on site.
It is claimed that the use of energy-efficient site
accommodation has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions
from the construction process by 50% or possibly more.
Energy-specific measures include:
• Insulation and type of glazing;
• Heating and lighting;
• Motion sensors to control energy usage;
• Metering of heat and electricity usage;
• Use of a master switch to control energy system;
• Occupant awareness;
• Behaviour change.
In addition to the reduction of CO2 emissions, the use
of energy-efficient site accommodation potentially comes
with added benefits including:
• Reduced energy costs;
• Greater comfort and productivity of the workforce
(possibly resulting in reduced staff absenteeism);
• Increased lifespan of the facilities.
efficient use of construction plant It would appear that the efficient use of construction plant
relates to the type of machinery being used to perform a
particular task, or set of tasks, and ultimately the manner
in which that plant is employed.
Key areas for the efficient use of constructed plant include:
• Choosing the correct, or most suitable, machine for
the task in hand, avoiding where possible the use of
oversized plant (when employing large machinery, it
might be preferable to use it for one-off operations
rather than bring-in smaller plant [i.e. dedicated
plant] especially);
• Use of fuel-efficient plant;
• Use of properly maintained and serviced plant;
• Low-carbon fuelling of plant;
• Efficient operation of plant, avoiding idling and
inappropriate use of power. Plant-operator training
and reinforcement of skills (e.g. toolbox talks) on
each site will yield CO2 savings;
• Planning and monitoring of plant use (e.g. telematics).
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In addition to the reduction of CO2 emissions, the
efficient use of construction plant comes with added
benefits including:
• Savings in fuel costs;
• Less noise and particulate emissions;
• Extended life-expectancy of plant;
• Less repairs and maintenance of plant & equipment;
• Improvements in site and off-site health & safety.
earlier connection to the grid Where appropriate (i.e. where the type of project, its
size and location, and availability or resources/existing
infrastructure, permits), the use of national-grid electricity
for powering sites has the potential to reduce CO2
emissions in that the use of diesel for powering generators
is significantly reduced. The implication is that the earlier
the connection to the grid, the better.
Even where there is consumer will, however, earlier
connection to the grid can be thwarted by technical issues
and lack of supply-chain co-ordination and organisation.
Clearly, there is an urgent need for action on order to
establish sector and regional initiatives that will facilitate
timely connection to the grid of construction sites where
appropriate. The argument also extends to other utilities.
In addition to the reduction of CO2 emissions, earlier
connection to the grid potentially has added benefits
including:
• Savings in fuel and security costs;
• Reduction in deliveries of fuels;
• Less noise and particulate emissions;
• Increased availability of space on site i.e.
less space taken up by generating plant;
• Reduced risk of fuel spillages;
• Improvements in site health & safety.
good-practice energy management on site The key areas identified for good-practice energy
management on site are:
• Control of generating plant to ensure only essential
power is produced;
• Control of lighting (e.g. accommodation, night security)
to avoid unnecessary use;
• Use of energy-efficient technology for security
and task lighting;
• Effective server management of computers
(consider cloud computing?);
• Energy-efficient site accommodation (as before);
• Efficient use of plant and equipment (as before);
• Monitor and collect data and disseminate results to
other stakeholders in the supply chain. This could be
implemented in part by a contractor-appointed energy
advisor for each construction project.
To help address these issues, it has been suggested that a
‘Good-Practice Toolkit’ is produced for use as guidance
by both clients and contractors. Incentives (e.g. BREEAM,
CEEQUAL) will also be instrumental in encouraging good
and best practice.
In addition to the reduction of CO2 emissions,
good-practice energy management on site has added
benefits including:
• Reduction of fuel costs;
• Less wear-and-tear.
on-site measurement, monitoring & targeting It is recognised that project related data-capture,
assessment, dissemination and use of results will be a
key factor in establishing performance benchmarks for
reducing the construction industry’s CO2 footprint.
For this to be effective, wholeness and consistency in
recording, assessment of data and reporting are regarded
as essential criteria. Clearly, such actions are likely to be
instrumental in the Government’s ability to gauge
progress, or lack of, in meeting targets. While a number
of initiatives have already been established and are in
operation, these appear to fall short of the capacity to
enable an industry-wide solution. Inconsistency of results
between projects has been identified as a major pitfall of
extant schemes and it is envisaged that, where appropriate
to do so, the introduction of new measurement protocols
would afford the setting of ‘carbon budgets’ for
construction projects.
It has been recommended that measures are implemented
in order to benchmark good and best practice during the
construction phase of the buildings listed below, with the
same benchmarks further developed for refurbishment,
repair and maintenance activities:
• Domestic: (tonnes CO2 per square metres
gross floor-area [m2 GFA]);
• Non-domestic: (tonnes CO2 per m2 GFA);
• Infrastructure (linear): (tonnes CO2 per km);
• Infrastructure (area): (tonnes CO2 per m2).
A number of actions entailing various stakeholder
involvement, including contractors, have been identified
that will help achieve an accurate and consistent approach
to on-site measuring, monitoring and targeting:
• Public reporting (to inform the development of
protocols, benchmarks, budgets and targets);
• Establish a ‘Construction Site Greenhouse Gas
Protocol’ (for assessing greenhouse gas emissions from
construction processes and associated transport);
• Investigate options for the collection of physical data
in order to develop emissions benchmarks relative to
physical output (construction and refurbishment works);
• Establish ‘Energy Use Profiles’ of projects through the
initiation of a scheme to sub-meter energy used on a
representative range of project sites;
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• Establish good-practice benchmarks;
• Reward good practice through rating schemes
(e.g. BREEAM, CEEQUAL);
• Reward good practice through awards.
fuel efficient freight driving and renewable transport fuels Action is required to reduce CO2 emissions arising from
transporting goods to and from sites. Part of the solution
will entail new managerial and logistical approaches to the
acquisition and transport of materials. Key measures that
should be implemented include:
• Increased use of fuel-efficient vehicles;
• Reducing the weight of freight moved;
• Reducing the distances travelled;
• Use of carbon-light fuels;
• Increased utilisation rate of vehicles
(i.e. maximised use of vehicles’ load capacity,
avoiding part-loads where possible);
• mproved driving (Smart Driving) to conserve fuel
consumption including the use of vehicle-performance
control units. An initiative to increase driver training
is considered to be instrumental in affording improved
fuel-efficiency including the specification of high
standards in tender documents and enquiries.
In addition to the reduction of CO2 emissions, the
increased adoption of fuel-efficient freight driving and
renewable transport fuels has added benefits including:
• Reduced fuel costs;
• Improved residual values of vehicles;
• Public relations benefits, including improved perception
(e.g. considerate) of the industry.
construction consolidation While presently limited in application, construction
consolidation clearly has an important role to play in
reducing CO2 emissions. Essentially, this is achieved by
greater efficiency in the handling of materials. The key
efficiency gains in using construction consolidation are:
• The employment of vehicles which are fully loaded;
• Greater scope for the re-use and recycling of materials
and packaging at consolidation centres;
• Quality assurance at the consolidation centre thus
reducing the risk of re-ordering and re-delivery
of materials;
• Provision of elements of pre-assembly.
In addition to the reduction of CO2 emissions, the
increased adoption of construction consolidation has
added benefits including:
• Reductions in waste and recovery of reusable materials;
• Reductions in traffic congestion and the pollution that
arises from this.
With the limited application of construction consolidation
that exists at present, the following measures have
been proposed:
• Initiate measures to facilitate the consolidation
of small deliveries to construction sites;
• Development of financing models for establishing
and running a regional consolidation centre and the
implications for instigating an urban congestion-charge
for construction vehicles;
• Engage with stakeholders to develop flagship
consolidation centres for a number of major projects,
or development areas, within the next five years;
• Engage with the Infrastructure Planning Commission
(IPC) to establish parameters for the use of
consolidation centres during the construction phase
of nationally significant infrastructure projects;
• Through stakeholder engagement, implementation of
strategic planning for future consolidation centres.
sharing Knowledge about alternative sustainable fuels The use of alternative (e.g. carbon light) fuels for
powering generators and mobile plant has proven benefits
for reducing CO2 emissions. For instance, it is estimated
that the use of 100% biodiesel for powering generators
on site would reduce emissions from site activities by
approximately 25%. But it is acknowledged, however,
that there is a need for the dissemination of information
regarding this, acknowledging the requirements set by
the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO).
The uptake in the use of alternative fuels specifically for
generating equipment is expected to apply to smaller sites
where there is generally less reliance on the national grid.
For successful uptake by the industry, directed research by
stakeholders is required in order to provide a convincing
argument of the benefits of using alternative fuels. Areas
that warrant investigation for producing sound guidance,
including targets, for use by stakeholders include:
• Performance and flexibility;
• Reliability;
• Implications for manufacturers’ warranties;
• Health & safety;
• Costs;
• Security of supply;
• Sustainability of supply;
• Lessons learned;
• Environmental impacts;
• On-site space requirements;
• Potential CO2 savings.
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In addition to the reduction of CO2 emissions, the
sharing of knowledge concerning the increased adoption
of alternative fuels has added benefits including:
• Possible savings in fuel costs;
• Lower particulate emissions.
reducing the transport of Waste Inevitably, most construction projects generate waste
of some sort (construction, demolition, excavation) that
requires transportation away from the site. In addition to
improved driving, there are further measures that can be
taken to reduce the impact of transporting waste. This
will contribute to the Strategic Forum for Construction’s
target of halving waste to landfill by 2012. Waste
prevention (minimisation), reuse and recovery are
key elements in current initiatives.
A part-solution is to ensure that, in the first instance,
surplus materials and/or waste from construction sites
is designated for re-use through ‘Regional Materials
Exchange Networks’. A number of waste-orientated
initiatives are already in operation promoting the re-use
of materials on or near site, and reducing waste at source.
In addition to the reduction of CO2 emissions, reducing
the transport of waste has added benefits including:
• Savings in the cost of treating waste;
• Reduced quantity of landfill;
• Savings in the cost of purchasing new materials;
• Savings in the purchase of transport fuels;
• Conservation of land;
• Conservation of natural resources;
• Reduced traffic congestion and related
environmental impacts.
Business travel, fleet-management and modal shift Business travel, as it relates specifically to the construction
process (i.e. not to include employee driving journeys to
and from corporate offices and/or construction sites)
has been identified as an area where significant CO2
reductions can be achieved. Key areas identified for
reduction impacts include:
• Where relevant, promoting Smarter Driving
lessons for staff;
• Selected procurement or leasing of vehicles
(i.e. seek greener options);
• Insistence on selected passenger vehicles or company
cars (i.e. seek greener options);
• Promote Energy Saving Trust ‘Green Fleet Reviews’
for fleets exceeding defined parameters;
• Promote the use of rail journeys instead of using
domestic flights;
• Promote the use of remote conferencing instead
of travelling to venues.
In addition to the reduction of CO2 emissions,
adopting greener policies towards business travel and
company-fleet management has added benefits including:
• Savings in the cost of purchasing fuel;
• Reduced motor-insurance premiums;
• Lower vehicle excise-duties.
good-practice energy management of corporate offices Although remote from the site, the energy consumption
that takes place at the permanent corporate offices
of firms undertaking building work is deemed to be
inextricably related to the CO2 impact of construction-
phase activities. The action required to reduce such
consumption relates primarily to the application of
monitoring and control systems. For example, it has been
estimated that monitoring and control actions have the
potential to reduce energy consumption by 10-20%
(without involving any capital expenditure). Areas of
particular focus include:
• Heating;
• Ventilating;
• Cooling;
• Lighting;
• Information & communication technology (ICT).
The recommended actions that can be taken include:
• Corporate energy-reviews of premises in order
to establish solutions for reducing consumption;
• Undertake review of existing ICT stock and replace
where required with more energy-efficient equipment;
• Where viable, install automatic switch-off technology;
• Review computer-server arrangements and, where
necessary, seek alternatives that are more
energy-efficient;
• Engage with Carbon Trust programmes: Carbon
Management (CM) and Carbon Management Energy
Efficiency (CMee) programmes.
In addition to the reduction of CO2 emissions, initiating
good-practice energy management of corporate offices
has added benefits including:
• Savings in the cost of purchasing energy.
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the Big hitters…
As the Innovation & Growth Team (IGT) remind us, in
order to meet the challenges set by the Climate Change Act
(2008), there needs to be a “quantum change” in the
industry’s practices. Part of this will entail the creation of
a central ‘Knowledge Hub’ (Knowledge Transfer Network
[KTN]) for the dissemination of data procured, lessons
learnt, and experience gained, from around the country.
It is believed this will afford the leadership necessary to
commence a meaningful delivery of the low-carbon
agenda, augmented by the formulation of well-designed
regulatory standards. It is also acknowledged that a sea
change will be required with regards to ways of thinking,
of doing and the acquisition of knowledge (e.g. improved
process and product innovation).
The 2012 targets set by the Strategic Forum for
Construction and Carbon Trust (SFfC & CT 2010) take
into account the ‘whole-life carbon’/’whole-life cycle’
of buildings and thus command action relating to every
aspect of the construction process. While distribution and
assembly on site account for a relatively small portion of
whole-life carbon they are, nevertheless, responsible for
significant quantities of CO2 emissions. Moreover, the
additional benefits that can be accrued by ‘greening’,
including the reduction of fuel costs, are manifold. Key to
progress will be a greater integration of the construction
industry, i.e. the entire supply-chain. It has been estimated
that the latter is also likely to yield benefits in the form
of faster project delivery (IGT 2010[a], §3.1.2).
The move towards a low-carbon economy has resulted
in a surfeit of literature on the subject. The upshot of this
is a resource of baroque complexity that the industry finds
difficult to absorb. This report has principally adopted the
findings of the Strategic Forum for Construction (SFfC),
Innovation & Growth Team (IGT) and Carbon Trust (CT).
From these findings, the CIOB, with its expertise relating
to all aspects of the construction process (CIOB 2010),
not least construction-activity logistics, occupies a
prominent position to produce and implement
straight-talking evidence-based guidance to practitioners
and other stakeholders. This will be a progressive
approach to lowering the CO2 emissions of the entire
construction process and taking forward the UK’s
low-carbon agenda.
Although requiring input from a range of organisations, it is
anticipated that the SFfC & CT’s Action Plan will be engaged
with by large construction firms (i.e. more than 300 people)
in the first instance (SFfC & CT 2010, §5.1). With regard
to the ‘size’ of a project, this is more likely to be factored
by CO2 impact rather that physicality or budget (IGT
2010[b], §4.1.1). It is anticipated that major projects
will pave the way forward for the implementation and
delivery of CO2 reduction measures on lesser projects
(i.e. scaling down/scalability) (IGT 2010[b], §4.1.2).
The SFfC & CT’s Action Plan has recommended a staged
approach for the introduction of the actions highlighted
based on prescribed increments (SFfC & CT 2010,
Table 4). The potential for CO2 emissions have also been
assigned values (very high, high, medium, low) relating
to their potential for CO2 savings (SFfC & CT 2010,
Tables 6-8). Processes/actions that have been designated
‘Very High’ or ‘High’ are deemed in this report to be
those that require priority action, see Table 2.
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action By contracting firms
process action potential for co2 saving
Energy-efficient site Most energy-efficient site accommodation to be specified in tender Very Highaccommodation or contract documentation.
Fuel-efficient freight Transport providers that are able to demonstrate systems for the efficient Very Highdriving and renewable management of logistics and high levels of fuel-efficient driving training to betransport fuels favoured via stipulation in tender documentation.
Good-practice energy Appointment of energy adviser responsible for monitoring and reporting Highmanagement on site energy performance to be specified in contract documentation.
Energy-efficient site Procurement of the most energy-efficient site accommodation; develop Very Highaccommodation strategy to retrofit existing stock or turn them over to new efficient
site accommodation.
Fuel-efficient freight Transport providers that are able to demonstrate systems for the efficient Very Highdriving and renewable management of logistics and high levels of fuel-efficient driving training to betransport fuels favoured via stipulation in tender documentation.
Good-practice energy Assign an energy adviser to monitor and report energy performance for each Highmanagement on site construction project.
Implement the guidance set out in the Toolkit for good-practice energy management on site.
Efficient use of Develop site toolbox-talks that raise plant-operator awareness regarding the Highconstruction plant benefits and savings of fuel-efficient plant operation; work with stakeholders
(e.g. employer federations and equipment manufacturers) to drive home the message to the workforce.
Establish procurement processes that favour the most efficient plant and equipment, as measured using standard duty-cycles.
Business travel, Lease, hire and procure only passenger vehicles with fuel-economy Highfleet-management labels in bands A & B.& modal shift
For company cars, allow only passenger vehicles with fuel-economy labels in bands A & B.
Organisations with 50 or more fleet vehicles to undertake a free Green Fleet Review from the Energy Saving Trust (EST); organisations with 10-49 fleet vehicles to consult the EST’s small-fleet telephone advice-line.
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Table 2: Summary of SFfC & CT’s (2010) ‘actions’ designated ‘Very High’ or ‘High’ in terms of their potential to reduce
CO2 emissions from the construction process (assembly on site and related transport). For purposes of clarity, some
items have been quoted verbatim.
Buildings in construction carBon action 2050 White papers From the chartered institute oF building
action By construction clients
process action potential for co2 saving
Earlier connection Develop a probabilistic approach to temporary electrical supplies. Highto the grid
Fuel-efficient freight Targets to be set for the proportion of drivers within the firm completing Very Highdriving and renewable fuel-efficient driving training as part of maintaining Driver Certificate oftransport fuels Professional Competence; encourage drivers to undertake refresher training
regularly (at least every five years).
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Buildings in construction carBon action 2050 White papers From the chartered institute oF building
action By freight & Waste-transport firms
process action potential for co2 saving
Energy-efficient site Procurement of the most energy-efficient site accommodation; develop Very Highaccommodation strategy to retrofit existing stock or turn them over to new efficient site
accommodation; advertise energy-efficient accommodation to contractorsnot taking part in the SFfC & CT’s Action Plan.
Fuel-efficient freight Transport providers that are able to demonstrate systems for the efficient Very Highdriving and renewable management of logistics and high levels of fuel-efficient driving training to betransport fuels favoured via stipulation in tender documentation.
Efficient use of Establish procurement processes that favour the most efficient plant and Highconstruction plant equipment, as measured using standard duty-cycles.
action By plant hire firms
process action potential for co2 saving
Energy-efficient site Develop and manufacture energy-efficient site accommodation as part of the Very Highaccommodation product range and set target for phasing-out energy-inefficient
accommodation products.
Fuel-efficient freight Transport providers that are able to demonstrate systems for the efficient Very Highdriving and renewable management of logistics and high levels of fuel-efficient driving training to betransport fuels favoured via stipulation in tender documentation.
Efficient use of Set targets for establishing the fuel performance of plant and equipment in Highconstruction plant product range based on industry standard duty-cycles; publish fuel performance
along with product information.
action By suppliers & manufacturers
process action potential for co2 saving
action By energy suppliers
process action potential for co2 saving
Earlier connection Guidance to be produced regarding when a client is to provide information to Highto the grid energy suppliers; consider notification before contractors are appointed.
action By the British property federation (Bpf)
process action potential for co2 saving
Fuel-efficient freight Develop a campaign to increase the number of drivers who complete one-day Very Highdriving and renewable SAFED training or equivalent, and have refresher training regularly (at least everytransport fuels five years); implement the strategy and measure changes in fuel-consumption by
trained drivers.
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Buildings in construction carBon action 2050 White papers From the chartered institute oF building
action By the freight transport association & road haulage association
process action potential for co2 saving
Fuel-efficient freight Seek the inclusion of fuel-efficient driving in National Occupancy Standards and Very Highdriving and renewable subsequently Vocational Qualifications.transport fuels
action By sKills for logistics
process action potential for co2 saving
Energy-efficient Work with stakeholders to develop and agree energy-efficient specifications for Very Highsite accommodation new and retrofitted site-accommodation.
Earlier connection Convene a meeting of stakeholders to include timely grid-connection as a Highto the grid default requirement of planning consent for major projects.
action By the strategic forum for construction (sffc)
process action potential for co2 saving
Energy-efficient Provide support to contracting firms in relation to procuring or hiring of the Very Highsite accommodation most energy-efficient site accommodation; establish plans to retrofit existing
stock or turn them over to new efficient site-accommodation.
Provide support to plant-hire firms in relation to procuring or hiring of the most Very Highenergy-efficient site accommodation; establish plans to retrofit existing stock or turn them over to new efficient site-accommodation; advertise energy-efficient accommodation to contractors not participating in the SFfC & CT’s Action Plan.
Provide support to construction clients to ensure the most energy-efficient site Very Highaccommodation is specified in tender or contract documentation.
Provide support to suppliers to develop and manufacture energy-efficient site Very Highaccommodation as part of the product range and to phase-out energy-inefficient accommodation products.
Work with stakeholders to develop and agree energy-efficient specifications for Very Highnew and retrofitted site-accommodation.
Publicise specification amongst suppliers and signal the market created for Very Highcompliant cabins in order to stimulate competition and production.
action By the modular & portaBle Buildings association (mpBa)
process action potential for co2 saving
Energy-efficient site Work with stakeholders to develop and agree energy-efficient specifications Very Highaccommodation for new and retrofitted site-accommodation.
Earlier connection Apply for the inclusion of timely grid-connection as a monitoring item in the Highto the grid Scheme; provide guidance and good-practice case studies to help Scheme
applicants connect to utilities early in construction.
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Buildings in construction carBon action 2050 White papers From the chartered institute oF building
action By the uK contractors group (uKcg)
process action potential for co2 saving
Efficient use of Develop a British Standard specifying standard duty-cycles for different Highconstruction plant equipment types and promote the publication of fuel-use benchmarks with
equipment product-information.
action By the British standards institution (Bsi)
process action potential for co2 saving
Earlier connection Consider including timely grid-connection in mandatory or optional credits for Highto the grid site-energy management in BREEAM and CEEQUAL; provide guidance for
achieving credits.
Good-practice energy Work with researchers and Knowledge-Transfer-Network to develop a Good- Highmanagement on site Practice Toolkit; consider developing a training DVD and a training course.
Once good practice is defined and guidance developed, refine BREEAM and CEEQUAL construction carbon/energy-credits and provide guidance for achieving credits, such as references to the Good-Practice Toolkit.
action By the British research estaBlishment (Bre) gloBal
process action potential for co2 saving
General Action Promote participation of SME’s in the SFfC & CT’s Action Plan via the Federation Very Highof Small Business, Business Link and other SME-focused groups.
Energy-efficient Publicise specification amongst suppliers and signal the market created for Very Highsite accommodation compliant cabins in order to stimulate competition and production.
Good-practice energy Work with researchers and Knowledge-Transfer-Network to develop a Good- Highmanagement on site Practice Toolkit; consider developing a training DVD and a training course.
action By the carBon trust
process action potential for co2 saving
Earlier connection Consider including timely grid-connection in mandatory or optional credits for Highto the grid site-energy management in BREEAM and CEEQUAL; provide guidance for
achieving credits.
Good-practice energy Work with researchers and Knowledge-Transfer-Network (KTN) to develop a Highmanagement on site Good-Practice Toolkit; consider developing a training DVD and a training course.
Consider refining BREEAM and CEEQUAL construction carbon/energy-credits Highand provide guidance for achieving credits, such as references to the Good-Practice Toolkit.
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Buildings in construction carBon action 2050 White papers From the chartered institute oF building
action By ceeQual ltd
process action potential for co2 saving
Good-practice energy Work with researchers and Knowledge-Transfer-Network to develop a Highmanagement on site Good-Practice Toolkit; consider developing a training DVD and a training course.
action By the construction industry research and information association (ciria)
process action potential for co2 saving
Efficient use of Develop site toolbox-talks that raise plant-operator awareness of the benefits Highconstruction plant and savings of fuel-efficient plant operation; work with employer federations and
equipment manufacturers to reinforce the message within the workforce.
Seek the inclusion, and raise the emphasis of, fuel-efficient driving in National HighOccupancy Standards, Vocational Qualifications and the assessment and re-assessment, within the Construction Plant Certification Scheme (CPCS).
action By construction sKills
process action potential for co2 saving
Table 2 summarises a number of ‘actions’ that have been
identified by the SFfC & CT (SFfC & CT 2010) as ‘Very
High’ or ‘High’ in terms of their potential for reducing
CO2 emissions. This is not to ignore those that have been
designated ‘medium’ or ‘low’ (see SFfC & CT 2010, Tables
6-8), or many other measures that can be enacted, many
here-and-now.
In addition to identifying the primary target-specific
actions, the work (Action Plan) of the SFfC & CT (SFfC
& CT 2010) has highlighted the extraordinary complexity
of the task in hand i.e. reducing the CO2 output from the
entire construction process. Clearly, there is wide-ranging
stakeholder interest that calls for orchestration by the
leaders of industry, with the CIOB ideally placed to play
a key role.
It is clear that for the Action Plan (SFfC & CT 2010) to be
successful, and for the IGT’s ‘propositions’ to be realised,
the industry, with its complex supply-chain and range of
specialist services, will need to adopt a collaborative/
integrated approach (IGT 2010[a] & [b]). Success will also
heavily depend on ‘real’ measurement and monitoring,
avoiding the fallacy of not counting, or double counting,
as this will lead to flawed ‘carbon accounting’ and thus
stultification of the entire process. It will also be important
to avoid falling into the classic trap of only counting what
can be measured rather than measuring what counts. This
will call for new roles to be introduced into the construction
process (e.g. carbon manager, logistics manager).
For the construction ‘green agenda’ to progress,
knowledge transfer (e.g. KTN) and communication have
also been identified as critical. The latter, itself, commands
a reflexive attitude by all, i.e. being receptive to new ideas
and change, and recognising new spheres of influence. On
the matter of influence, it is incumbent for stakeholders
not only to promote innovation, but also to effect changes
in the way people behave toward the conservation of
energy in the construction process – and beyond.
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case studies
The IGT (2010[b], §4) have proposed that major projects,
where appropriate, should be used to spearhead the
establishment of new standards for effecting change in the
construction procurement process (i.e. throughout the
entire supply chain). It is envisaged that the data captured
and lessons learnt from such projects will ultimately be used
to create benchmarks and standards that can be suitably
adapted for cascading down to non-major projects.
Whereas, to date, there appears to have been a propensity
to focus on ‘sustainable design’ and the related operational
performance of buildings (extremely important factors),
the data and lessons learnt on major projects will facilitate
measures for the meaningful reduction of CO2 emissions
from site operations and related activities during the
construction phase, although it is acknowledged that
many projects of all scales have initiatives of some
form underway at present.
Given the incipient nature of many current initiatives
the IGT’s (2010[b], §4.2) Recommendation 4.3 proposes
to use the London Olympics (2012) site as a showcase
for demonstrating processes and approaches for
delivering a low-carbon built environment, see
http://www.london2012.com/index.php.
useful references
BERR, 2008. Strategy for Sustainable Construction.
London: Department for Business, Enterprise and
Regulatory Reform.
BIS & DECC, 2009. The UK Low Carbon Industrial Strategy.
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and
Department of Energy and Climate Change.
CE, 2008(a). Chapter 1: Procurement & Integration,
In, Clients’ Commitments Best Practice Guide. London:
Constructing Excellence (Construction Clients’ Group).
CE, 2008(b). Chapter 4: Sustainability, In, Clients’
Commitments Best Practice Guide. London: Constructing
Excellence (Construction Clients’ Group).
CE, 2009. Never Waste a Good Crisis: A Review of Progress
Since Rethinking Construction and Thoughts for Our Future,
by Andrew Wolstenholme. London: Constructing Excellence.
Charles, P. and Connolly, S. (eds), 2005. Environmental
Good Practice Site Guide. Second Edition. London: CIRIA.
CIOB, 2010. CIOB’s Professionalism: An Inclusive
Definition of Construction Management. Ascot: The
Chartered Institute of Building.
DECC, 2009. The UK Low Carbon Transition Plan.
Department of Energy & Climate Change. Norwich:
The Stationery Office.
Gould, L., 2010. What is BIM… and Should We Care?
Construction Research and Innovation 1 (2), 26-31.
Green, A., 2010. Taking the Measure of a Low Carbon
Industry. Construction Manager May 2010, 41-44.
HM Government, 2011. Carbon Plan.
IGT, 2010(a). Low Carbon Construction: Emerging Findings.
Innovation & Growth Team. Department for Business,
Innovation & Skills.
IGT, 2010(b). Low Carbon Construction: Final Report.
Innovation & Growth Team. Department for Business,
Innovation & Skills.
Jones, M., 2008. Site Waste Management Plans.
Construction Manager April 2008, 27-30.
King, D., 2010. The Great Zero-Carbon Skills Gap.
Construction Research and Innovation 1 (1), 24-29.
Payne, M., 2009. Eco Management the Easy Way.
Construction Manager March 2009, 31-33.
Potts, B. and Baldwin, T., 2010. Chucking It All Away.
Construction Research and Innovation 1 (1), 36-39.
SFfC & BIS, 2009. Strategy for Sustainable Construction:
Progress Report. September 2009. Strategic Forum
for Construction & HM Government (Department for
Business, Innovation and Skills).
SFfC & CT, 2010. Carbon: Reducing the Footprint of the
Construction Process. An Action Plan to Reduce Carbon
Emissions. Prepared by Joan Ko on behalf of the Strategic
Forum for Construction and the Carbon Trust. London:
Construction Products Association.
Smith, K., 2010. ‘A Little Ticking Time Bomb’.
Construction Research and Innovation 1 (3), 14-19.
Buildings in construction carBon action 2050 White papers From the chartered institute oF building
action By Whom? “could”, is this action comments “should”, measuraBle? if so, hoW? & points foror “must” discussion
1. Use of energy-efficient site Sector Sites Must Metric: Kwh, Kg CO2 Anticipated accommodation impact:
Monitoring and analysis (e.g. GlobalKey stakeholder input: against performance benchmarks • Construction clients /carbon budgets) of energy • Contracting firms consumption* for selected • Plant-hire firms individual projects, or multiple • Suppliers & manufacturers projects (this could apply to large • Modular & Portable Buildings consumer organisations in the
Association (MPBA) first instance, then possibly• SFfC refined at a later stage to • CT include SMEs);• UKCG
Analysis of data* procured from suppliers of energy-efficient site accommodation, including hire companies (i.e. measure and evaluate uptake, or lack of), to include consideration of increased lifespan of equipment;
Monitor and analysis of data* procured from site-accommodation retrofit companies (i.e. measure and evaluate uptake, or lack of);
Feedback from sector bodies;
Feedback regarding human benefits (e.g. staff surveys, human resources department data).
*Relating to industry-set baselines
2. Adopt fuel-efficient freight driving Sector Must Metric: Kwh, Kg CO2 Anticipated and renewable transport-fuels impact:
Procurement of fuel-supply market GlobalKey stakeholder input: returns and forecasts (for general • Construction clients trends);• Contracting firms• Freight & waste transport firms Feedback from fuel suppliers in • Plant-hire firms relation to large consumer• Suppliers & manufacturers organisations (this could possibly • Freight Transport Association be refined at a later stage to
& Road Haulage Association include SMEs), including data on • Skills for Logistics the volume of materials transported
/number of deliveries/collections;
Procurement of returns (expenditure on fuels and/or vehicle maintenance/renewal) from large consumer organisations (this could possibly be refined at a later stage to include SMEs);
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Buildings in construction carBon action 2050 White papers From the chartered institute oF building
Key action points
action By Whom? “could”, is this action comments “should”, measuraBle? if so, hoW? & points foror “must” discussion
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Buildings in construction carBon action 2050 White papers From the chartered institute oF building
Key action points cont.
Procurement of returns from training providers (i.e. to monitor uptake, or lack of, of training for ‘smart’ driving);
Procurement of returns for success rates in obtaining accreditation for ‘smart’ driving (and refresher training);
Larger organisations to make use of logistics manager for monitoring initiatives (for organisations and/or selected projects), capturing and disseminating smart data to stakeholders.
3. Adopt good-practice energy Sector Must Metric: Kwh, Kg CO2 Implications: management on site Global
Monitoring and analysis of energy Key stakeholder input: consumption* for selected individual• Construction clients projects, or multiple projects (this • Contracting firms could apply to large consumer • BRE Global organisations in the first instance, • CT then possibly refined at a later • CEEQUAL Ltd stage to include SMEs);
Monitoring and analysis of energy consumption* for entire organisations (this could apply to large consumer organisations in the first instance, then possibly refined at a later stage to include SMEs);
Larger organisations to make use of energy advisers for monitoring initiatives (for selected projects), capturing and disseminating smart data to stakeholders;
Monitor credits (e.g. BREEAM, CEEQUAL) awarded to projects for site energy-management.*Relating to industry-set baselines
4. Adopt efficient use of Sector Must Metric: Kwh, Kg CO2 Implications: construction plant Contractors Global
Procurement of returns (expenditureKey stakeholder input: on fuels and/or vehicle maintenance• Contracting firms /renewal) from large consumer • Plant-hire firms organisations (this could possibly • Suppliers & manufacturers be refined at a later stage to• British Standards Institution (BSI) include SMEs);• ConstructionSkills
Feedback from large organisations relating to their success in meetingfuel-use benchmarks (this could possibly be refined at a later stage to include SMEs);
action By Whom? “could”, is this action comments “should”, measuraBle? if so, hoW? & points foror “must” discussion
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Buildings in construction carBon action 2050 White papers From the chartered institute oF building
Key action points cont.
Procurement of returns from training providers (i.e. to monitor uptake, or lack of, of training [and refresher training], for the efficient use of construction plant).
5. Earlier connection to the grid Sector Must Metric: Kwh, Kg CO2 Anticipated Contractors impact:
Key stakeholder input: Monitoring and analysis* of energy Global• Energy suppliers consumption for selected individual • British Property Federation (BPF) projects, or multiple projects (this • SFfC could apply to large consumer • UKCG organisations in the first instance, • BRE Global then possibly refined at a later • CEEQUAL Ltd stage to include SMEs);
Feedback from energy providers regarding levels of uptake, or lack of (e.g. regional, organisational, project-specific);
Monitor planning consents for whichthere is a condition for early connection to the grid;
Monitor credits (BREEAM, CEEQUAL, LEED, Green Star, HQI) awarded to projectsfor site energy management.*Relating to industry-set baselines
6. Business travel, fleet-management Sector Must Metric: Kg CO2 Anticipated and modal shift Contractors impact:
Procurement of returns from GlobalKey stakeholder input: dealers or hire companies regarding• Contracting firms uptake (or lack of) by large
consumer organisations (this could possibly be refined at a later stage to include SMEs);
Procurement of returns regarding expenditure on fuel and/or vehicle maintenance/renewal from large consumer organisations (this could possibly be refined at a later stage to include SMEs).
Fiona Roberts, Kye Gbangbola FCIOB, Alan Crane FCIOB, March 2011
action By Whom? “could”, is this action comments “should”, measuraBle? if so, hoW? & points foror “must” discussion
further actions
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Buildings in construction carBon action 2050 White papers From the chartered institute oF building
Key action points cont.
7. Adopt best-practice energy Sector Must Metric: Kg CO2 Anticipated impact:use in corporate offices contractors Global
and other Monitoring and analysis ofKey stakeholder input: industry firms energy consumption (i.e.• All industry firms involved in heating, cooling, ventilation,
the construction process lighting and Information &• UKCG Communications Technology)• Carbon Trust for industry firms.• CIRIA
Engage with Carbon Trustprogrammes: Carbon ManagementCM) and Carbon ManagementEnergy Efficiency (CMee)programmes.
8. Commission subcontractors and Contractors, Should Metric: Kg CO2
the supply chain to reduce their own sub-contractors,carbon emissions supply chain Main contractors should
commission their subcontractorsKey stakeholder input: to undertake carbon accountancy. • All industry firms involved
in the construction process Using this approach, individual • UKCG businesses involved at every stage
of a building’s life-cycle work witheach other to create a full carbon footprint, allowing common, comparable carbon management across the supply chain.
reducing the transport of wasteKey stakeholder input from:construction clients, contracting firms, plant-hire firms, suppliers & manufacturers, WRAP
construction consolidationKey stakeholder input from: SFfC, CT
local sourcing of products & services
promote industrial symbiosis for exchange of waste
Better use of ict for reducing the necessity of business-related travel
Andrew Townsend MCIOB