Environmental Responsibility

The environment - a fine balance

We all know that what we do to the environment now will have a profound effect on the quality of life of future generations. It has taken about 4600 million years to create our beautiful planet but in less than 200 years we have threatened its ecological balance. Across the world Governments, industries and the general public are waking up to the facts and the need to act now.

The construction industry is a major contributor to waste, pollution and CO2 emissions in the UK and while it is doing a great deal to reduce environmental impact, more needs to be done.

Environment Campaign As you would expect, we take our corporate responsibilities extremely seriously and are proud to have been voted No1 for ethics in the Observer 'Good Company Guide' in 2007 and for the clarity of our corporate communications. The environment is s key part of our CR strategy.

'Our goal is that our construction industry should be a world beater, training a skilled and committed workforce, and a world leader in environmental responsibility' Extract from the Draft Strategy for Sustainable Construction – Consultation Paper – July 2007.

Let's all make a world of difference.

We are extending our award winning Safety from the Ground Up campaign with the development of an external communication programme Getting Greener from the Ground Up, aimed initially at construction site workers. It's designed to increase awareness and understanding of the big issues that construction faces; waste and resource management, energy efficiency and pollution. It gives the facts and offers guidance on good working practice. Eye catching posters, brochures and toolbox presenters invite site operatives to 'make a world of difference'. This material will soon be available to customers free of charge.

Environmental Policy Statement

Our formal environment policy statement appears opposite, but our approach to reducing our environmental impact is summarised below.

The company will:

  • Comply with the relevant requirements of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and all other legislation concerned with the protection of the human and natural resources.
  • Minimise the risk to the public at large from any acts or omissions during its operation.
  • Minimise emissions of noise, air pollution and waste products.
  • Ensure all employees have suitable and sufficient information, instructions, training and supervision to act with due consideration for the environment.
  • Require all contractors working on its behalf to meet with the equal standard of care for the environment.
  • Liaise with the local authority on new projects.
  • Continually monitor the environmental impact of its operations.

Some facts and predictions

  • Population will grow from 6.5bn to 9bn by 2045 19% of global electricity is used for lighting
  • The 10 warmest years on record have occurred since 1990
  • Carbon Dioxide (CO2) concentrations in the atmosphere have increased by 36% in the last 200 years, from 280 to 380 parts per million, they could reach 540 by 2050
  • If this happens average temperatures could rise between 2º and 5º C by 2060 and sea levels could increase causing widespread flooding. Up to 40% of all species could be threatened with extinction
  • The rate of production of CO2 increased by 70% between 1990 and 2004
  • If the world consumed resources at the same rate as UK citizens, we would need 3 planet earths to support us

The construction industry:

  • Employs 2.1 million people, that's 8% of the UK workforce
  • Produces around 120 million tonnes of waste per year, 32% of total UK waste and uses around 400 million tonnes of material resources a year, that's 11 tonnes per UK adult
  • Accounts for 31% of all UK van miles
  • Creates up to 68 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent a year, that's 10% of UK 'greenhouse gas' emissions.
  • Direct construction emissions have grown by 24% since 1990 compared with a 9% decrease in all other industries