Construction's Net Zero Carbon Business Champions Announced

Champions from across the UK’s construction industry have come together today to declare their commitment to support CO2nstructZero, the construction industry’s response to the climate emergency.

Announced at UK Construction Week, the Business Champions initiative enables companies to be role models in this industry change programme. They demonstrate a commitment towards the sector’s drive towards reducing carbon emissions in the delivery and operation of the built environment. The first 14 companies have been drawn from across the UK’s construction supply chain; and selected by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC).

Companies who want to be business champions are encouraged to commit to CO2nstructZero, and can apply to become a Business Champion in an ongoing monthly recruitment drive.

As part of this industry change programme, business champions will work alongside the CLC and other major industry bodies to share innovations and best practice, acting as promotors and role models to support the industry’s move to Net Zero Carbon.

From regional builders’ merchants to major global firms, the first 14 companies span the entire industry; including major contractors, consultants, architects, engineers, materials suppliers and specialist subcontractors; and between them are responsible for the delivery of billions of pounds of construction work across the UK.

Each organisation has made a commitment that they will share tangible evidence of their net zero carbon plans against the nine CO2nstructZero priorities, contribute to the CO2nstructZero industry reporting process and work together to support companies in the sector to develop their own plans.

Andrew Griffith MP, the UK Net Zero Business Champion and Chair of the CO2nstructZero Advisory Board, said: “This is a hugely significant moment for the UK’s construction industry. As we look
towards COP26 later this year, the whole sector must work together to drive real change. From global UK companies to the smallest local businesses, our business champions represent the best of the sector and will play a key role in helping to drive transformational change in how we deliver the built environment.

“We cannot deliver our ambitious national Net Zero Carbon ambitions without changing how we build – and our business champions will set a fantastic example for others to follow.”

From investing in the development of low carbon concrete to the adoption of electric vehicle fleets and using low carbon energy sources to heat homes, each of the Business Champions is committed to driving industry change in their specialist area and are working on projects across the country that are transforming the delivery and operation of the built environment.

The fourteen Business Champions are:

• Keltbray
• Mace
• Mid Group
• Multiplex
• Laing O’Rourke
• Arcadis
• Bradfords Building Supplies
• Travis Perkins
• APP Wholesale
• ACO Technologies
• AICO
• RLB
• Turner & Townsend
• Buro Happold