High Speed drive for net zero carbon concrete

HS2 is helping the drive towards net zero, with construction joint venture partner, SCS, joining ConcreteZero.

ConcreteZero is a global initiative led by Climate Group in partnership with WorldGBC. It brings together pioneering businesses to drive demand for more sustainable and net zero concrete. ConcreteZero members commit to buying and using 30% low emission concrete by 2025 and 50% by 2030, with a long-term target of using 100% net zero concrete by 2050.

This will boost the demand for more sustainable concrete, adding significant momentum for lower emission and ultimately net zero concrete in the UK.

SCS (Skanska Costain STRABAG Joint Venture) joins the growing group of almost 30 ConcreteZero members that share knowledge on solutions to tackle the emissions linked to concrete, accelerating the transition to net zero concrete through collective action.

Athina Papakosta, Sustainability and Carbon Lead, SCS said: “SCS has ambitious environmental sustainability targets and decarbonising concrete has an intrinsic part to play in achieving them in the major construction project SCS has to deliver. Joining ConcreteZero is testament to teaming up with the rest of the industry to drive the overarching goal of lower carbon concrete forward.”

Jen Carson, Head of Industry, Climate Group, said: “SCS is leading the way in tackling the climate impact of UK infrastructure. By joining ConcreteZero it recognises that the carbon emissions linked to one of the world’s most used materials needs to be addressed head-on, and that this can be done now through a live project. SCS sets the bar for the future of all UK infrastructure and shows that it’s not only necessary but entirely possible to limit the carbon emissions linked to concrete today.”

Concrete is especially important as it is the world’s most used material, second only to water. Every year the production of concrete accounts for an estimated eight per cent of global carbon emissions, and this is only set to rise. With the UN predicting that almost 70% of global populations will live in cities by 2050, concrete will be key to meeting the growing construction demand.

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