Four Builders Merchant Federation (BMF) members were amongst the first 14 champions from across the UK’s construction supply chain to declare their commitment to support CO2nstructZero.
The initial cohort have been selected by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), having demonstrated their commitment towards the sector’s drive towards reducing carbon emissions in the delivery and operation of the built environment.
ACO Technologies, APP Wholesale, Bradfords Building Supplies and Travis Perkins plc, have each committed to share tangible evidence of their net zero carbon plans against the nine CO2nstructZero principles, contribute to the CO2nstructZero industry reporting process, and work together to support companies in the sector to develop their own plans in support of the industry change programme.
- ACO Technologies is designing its production processes and products to reduce embodied carbon, as well as transport and installation carbons.
- APP Wholesale’s initiatives include a ‘Boiler Box’ scheme to collect and recycle all end-of-life boilers for its customers, and fleet and delivery changes to reduce carbon emissions.
- Bradfords Building Supplies is investigating an integrated electric vehicle charging system for its fleet and their customers, as well as working with architects to help identify low carbon alternatives during the design process.
- Travis Perkins plc has set a target of net zero on scopes 1 and 2 by 2035, and is developing plans to use alternative fuels in existing vehicles and increase electric vehicles in their fleet.
Andrew Griffith MP, chair of the CO2nstructZero Advisory Board, said: “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.”
John Newcomb, chief executive officer of the BMF, said: “We are extremely proud to see four BMF member companies, representing both merchants and manufacturers, at the forefront of the CLC’s net zero initiative. Every element within construction must consider how they operate if we are to achieve the zero-carbon aim.
“At this early stage, it is important to have forward thinking champions as role models and I would encourage more companies in our sector to step forward. We would be happy to help them apply for Business Champion Status and share their experience.”
The CLC is seeking further net zero champions and is running an ongoing monthly recruitment drive for more companies to commit to CO2nstructZero. All business champions will work alongside the CLC and other major industry bodies, including the BMF to share innovations and best practice and act as promotors and role models.
