The Edge Sustainability

The construction industry now has a roadmap for achieving verifiable net zero buildings with the introduction of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (NZCBS).

The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) and the Thermal Insulation Contractors’ Association (TICA) are advocating for a national initiative to improve pipe insulation in commercial and industrial buildings across the UK.

In an inspiring example of sustainable rail practices, the track removed from the recent Severn Tunnel renewal will be repurposed for future use instead of heading to the scrapyard.

Balfour Beatty has launched a groundbreaking hydrogen trial as part of its Connect Roads M77/Glasgow Southern Orbital project, setting a new precedent for sustainability in the construction industry.

In a move towards greater transparency and sustainability in the construction industry, the Mineral Products Association (MPA) has introduced the UK’s first verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for four common types of asphalt used on UK highways.

Carlisle Link Road project partners with The Rebuild Site CIC to repurpose surplus construction materials, promoting sustainability and reducing waste.

Recent data from the latest phase of the Green Travel Pledge has revealed that rail travel is significantly more environmentally friendly than petrol and diesel cars in almost 94% of over 80,000 rail business journeys across the UK.

Historic England has released new advice on how to make old and listed buildings more energy efficient.

In a critical assessment of the UK government's energy policies, environmental analysts have raised significant concerns over the promotion of 'blue' hydrogen as a green alternative.

Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional fossil fuels.

Morgan Sindall has received a government research grant to enhance and promote its innovative carbon measuring software, CarboniCa.

The Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) has launched a tool that simultaneously measures both the whole life costs and whole life carbon emissions of a structure.

The Pallet Loop, in collaboration with its manufacturing partner Scott Pallets, has successfully shipped over 30,000 Loop pallets to British Gypsum’s bagged plaster plants at Barrow, East Leake, and Kirkby Thore.

Morgan Sindall Construction is set to revolutionise its CarboniCa whole life carbon measurement tool with the help of a £1 million grant from Innovate UK.

Scotland is set to become a leader in sustainable building practices with the transformation of the Accelerator Lab at Hamilton Technology Park Innovation Campus.

The Materials Exchange Platform, a matchmaking website for trading soils and aggregates, has secured its first round of seed funding.

Several major infrastructure clients, including Anglian Water, Heathrow Airport, National Highways, Northumbrian Water, and Sellafield nuclear power plant, have committed to the Construction Leadership Council’s (CLC) “Five Client Carbon Commitments”.

Heidelberg Materials has inaugurated a state-of-the-art construction waste recycling facility at its Appleford depot in Oxfordshire.

British Gypsum, a leading building materials manufacturer, has announced its commitment to the Pallet Loop pallet recycling initiative.

As the UK government explores future energy solutions for non-road mobile machinery (NRMM), industry voices are weighing in on the debate between batteries, hydrogen, and other alternatives.

ADEPT (Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport) has launched Live Labs 2: Decarbonising Local Roads in the UK, a £30m program funded by the Department for Transport (DfT).

In a remarkable effort to enhance biodiversity, Network Rail has partnered with The Tree Council to cultivate thriving railway hedges in North London.

Transport for London (TfL) has launched a comprehensive Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Plan to enhance and sustain biodiversity across its vast estate.

Consulting engineer Arup, in collaboration with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), has issued a call for standardised whole-life carbon (WLC) reporting in the construction industry.

The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has released new guidance on measuring and reporting Scope 3 embodied carbon emissions in the built environment.

In an effort to combat landfill waste and promote sustainability, Wolverhampton is gearing up to welcome a groundbreaking initiative: The Reuse Hub

Costain, a leading infrastructure solutions provider, has taken a significant step towards sustainability by completing a trial of electric vans on major project sites across the UK.

Pallet Loop, a pioneering pallet reuse scheme for the construction industry, is undergoing a transformation under new ownership.

As of February 12, 2024, developers in England are obligated to achieve a 10% biodiversity net gain (BNG) when undertaking new housing, industrial, or commercial projects.

A coalition of construction industry leaders and organisations is rallying for a commitment to regulate embodied carbon in construction practices.

Mobilityways, a prominent carbon analysis consultant, recently unveiled findings from its Road to Net Zero Study, revealing that the UK's tier one construction contractors are lagging behind in their emissions reduction efforts when compared to other industries.

The government is reaching out to industry stakeholders for their opinions on the future of off-road machinery power sources.

In a heartening collaboration, Network Rail and Okehampton United Charities have forged a partnership to secure the future of endangered hazel dormice in Devon.

Better Transport Week 2024 is set to take place from June 17 to June 23. This annual event, organised by a leading transport charity, is dedicated to celebrating and promoting the myriad benefits of public transport, shared mobility, walking, and cycling.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) is making waves with the installation of a massive solar array on the roof of its train depot in Bedford.

Network Rail has partnered with Cambridgeshire County Council to spearhead an ambitious environmental initiative accompanying the construction of the new Cambridge South Station.

The City of London Corporation's planners have unveiled a pioneering proposal that could reshape the landscape of redevelopment in the iconic Square Mile.

Welsh civil engineering contractor Jones Bros has undertaken an extraordinary task – the relocation of an entire colony of rare marine organisms.

Belfast-based carbon capture specialist Nuada has joined forces with four international cement companies to revolutionise the landscape of emissions reduction in cement production.

High-Speed Two (HS2) has successfully reduced the carbon footprint of its Edgcote Viaduct by over 13 percent through a strategic structural redesign.

‍In a unique collaboration between man's best friend and infrastructure development, National Highways has enlisted the help of specially trained dogs, Fenix, Nica, and Nettle, to assist in Balfour Beatty's £250m M25 junction 10 upgrade at Wisley.

‍AtkinsRéalis is at the forefront of cultivating a new era of industry leaders by inspiring and empowering the next generation of built environment professionals.

‍The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) is leading the charge towards a sustainable future with the launch of the Sustainable Rail Blueprint.

‍In a significant stride towards sustainable construction practices, consulting engineer Waterman has unveiled a groundbreaking guide to materials passports.

In a groundbreaking report titled "Closing the Circle," Mace, a prominent construction and consultancy company, is calling for a paradigm shift in the construction industry towards circular economy principles.

In a recent survey conducted by the Association for Project Management (APM), it has been revealed that 50% of construction industry project managers believe their companies are not doing enough to support the UK's ambitious 2050 net zero targets.

As the world turns its attention to sustainability, industries across the board are embracing innovative solutions to reduce their carbon footprint. The latest remarkable example comes from Network Rail, who have achieved a groundbreaking feat in Royston, located in the Eastern region of the UK.

In an era where the pursuit of environmental sustainability is no longer a choice but a necessity, businesses around the world are facing a unique challenge.

The UK's construction sector is currently facing a significant obstacle: a lack of consensus on how to measure carbon emissions and what "net zero" truly entails.

In a significant leap towards a more sustainable future for the construction industry, Bowmer & Kirkland has made history by fueling a £300 million residential development in Sheffield's West Bar district solely with batteries.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is once again setting a significant benchmark in the construction and infrastructure sector. RICS has launched the second edition of its Whole Life Carbon Assessment for the Built Environment (WLCA) standard, a milestone that underscores its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

The construction industry is witnessing a significant shift towards sustainability and environmental consciousness, and Balfour Beatty is leading the way. In a groundbreaking development, Balfour Beatty has secured a Scottish government grant to convert four of its road maintenance vehicles to run on hydrogen, alongside diesel.

As the world confronts the pressing need for cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions, innovation is thriving in all corners of industry, including construction. In an exciting development, a groundbreaking initiative led by Bam has secured a substantial £4.9 million grant from the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero.

The construction industry is no stranger to transformation and innovation, and in recent years, the spotlight has turned towards sustainability and environmental responsibility. Billington Structures, a prominent structural steelwork contractor, has taken a remarkable step in this direction by securing official certification as 'carbon neutral' for its operations.

In a resounding testament to its commitment to excellence, HS2 Ltd has received a prestigious Platinum advanced award from The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) as part of its Procurement Excellence Programme.

In a significant development, a comprehensive training course has been introduced to encourage machinery owners and operators to take steps towards reducing tailpipe emissions.

HS2, the high-speed railway project, has been a catalyst for supporting hundreds of jobs and reducing carbon emissions by prioritising recycled steel in its construction materials.

A recent news article from Rail Business Daily highlights the remarkable efforts of a volunteer group at Westerfield rail station in Suffolk, England, who have been honored with a national award for their commitment to supporting bees and other essential pollinators.

Norwich Railway Station transportation hub received the prestigious 'Wildlife Friendly' accreditation, celebrating the tireless efforts of community volunteers in enhancing biodiversity and nurturing nature within its premises.

The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) has embarked on a groundbreaking journey, poised to transform Great Britain's rail industry into a zero-waste powerhouse.

In a groundbreaking move towards sustainability and community empowerment, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has recently announced a visionary partnership with Energy Garden.

The City of London is ushering in a new era of energy efficiency with the completion of the first geothermal borehole on the Salisbury Square site.

In an era marked by the urgent need for sustainable infrastructure solutions, the low carbon highways contest has emerged as a beacon of innovation.

Introducing the world's first electric heavy haulage vehicle, Mammoet has achieved this remarkable feat by developing a pioneering retrofit kit that replaces traditional diesel engines in self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs) with powerful electric motors.

In a resolute step towards safeguarding our planet's fragile ecosystems, the United Kingdom government has taken a bold stance by announcing the elimination of the cap on civil penalties for environmental offenses.

Aggreko and McAlpine have joined forces to achieve an astounding 85% reduction in crane fuel consumption.

The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) has taken a significant step by launching a groundbreaking training course - 'Carbon Literacy for Rail.

AmcoGiffen, the renowned tunnel experts, have achieved a groundbreaking feat in tunnel work with their development of a purpose-built, remotely operated drill rig.

In a move towards sustainability and reduced emissions, National Highways has set its sights on establishing a hydrogen-powered ecosystem for the Lower Thames Crossing project.

In a significant stride towards a more sustainable future, Network Rail is making remarkable progress in its commitment to a greener railway system.