In advance of COP26, Balfour Beatty has launched the first in a series of innovative solutions and learnings to support the construction and infrastructure industry in reaching net zero carbon emissions
Building on its 55% carbon emissions reduction since 2010 and its recent commitment to the United Nations Race To Zero campaign, the company is also gearing up for its official submission to the Science Based Target Initiative.
Balfour Beatty has partnered with the Supply Chain Sustainability School to undertake a joint survey targeting nearly 40,000 of the construction and infrastructure industry’s supply chain partners, to understand the barriers, issues and opportunities faced by the sector in achieving net zero.
In publishing the findings today in its latest thought paper ‘Greening the chain: Overcoming barriers for a net zero Supply Chain‘, Balfour Beatty is providing access to key recommendations for policymakers, customers, and the wider industry to help it to achieve net zero and play a major role in tackling the global climate change emergency.
The ‘biggest societal challenge ever faced’
Leo Quinn, Balfour Beatty group chief executive, said: “The climate emergency is probably the biggest global societal challenge we have ever faced. It’s a challenge that will require all of us to pull together in the same direction.
“Whilst Balfour Beatty has long been at the vanguard of sustainability having halved our carbon emissions in the last decade, we know that more can and should be done.
“The United Nations Climate Change Conference is a welcome opportunity to accelerate this process forward, as we work in tandem with businesses across our industry and beyond to drive rapid, meaningful change.”
Rishi Sunak added: “I welcome Balfour Beatty’s efforts in supporting the construction sector to reach net zero.
“We’re committed to tackling climate change and, alongside the prime minister’s ambitious ten point plan, have set up the UK Infrastructure Bank to invest in net zero and will issue £15bn in green bonds over the next year to help finance green projects.”
