Skanska UK has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2045; its new carbon reduction target includes cutting all direct and supply chain emissions
The goal is for Skanska UK’s portfolio of projects to be carbon neutral by 2045.
By 2030, the objective is to cut total emissions by 50% of the 2010 level.
Also by 2030, Skanska UK aims to cut its carbon intensity to 130, from the 2010 level of 351. Carbon intensity measures the amount of emissions, in tonnes of CO2 equivalent gases, for each £1m of revenue. It calculates an organisation’s carbon efficiency – the emissions produced from the activities it undertakes, rather than the total produced.
Skanska UK’s president and CEO, Gregor Craig, said: “What makes these targets different is they all include the emissions produced by the whole of our supply chain, from their work on our projects.
“We think that’s really important. The construction industry is different to other sectors. You’ve got to look at emissions produced by subcontractors and suppliers during construction and maintenance. If you only look at your own direct emissions, you don’t get a true picture. Without that bigger picture, you can’t set the right strategy to deal with the emissions created.”
Skanska UK will also publish estimates, showing the total emissions of the supply chain on its projects, from 2018 back to 2010. This information will be published annually. The estimating methodology has been independently reviewed by the consultants WSP.
Craig added: “We think it’s important to be much more transparent about carbon emissions.
“We think the whole industry should be publishing this kind of data every year.
“Decarbonisation should be an industry priority. It will incentivise the sector to collaborate with the supply chain and become productive and efficient. There is now a body of evidence that links carbon with cost. So, it is even more compelling to take carbon seriously, if by doing so we can deliver better, and cheaper, solutions for our customers.”
