Balfour Beatty survey
29 September 2021
In advance of the COP26 climate change conference in November, Balfour Beatty has published the results of a survey into supply chain challenges, obstacles and solutions for a net-zero future.
In partnership with the Supply Chain Sustainability School, nearly 40,000 organisations were approached for their opinions, which are published in ‘Greening the chain: Overcoming barriers for a Net Zero Supply Chain”.
Leo Quinn, Balfour Beatty group chief executive, said: “The climate emergency is probably the biggest global societal challenge we have ever faced. It’s a challenge that will require all of us to pull together in the same direction.
“Whilst Balfour Beatty has long been at the vanguard of sustainability, having halved our carbon emissions in the last decade, we know that more can and should be done. The United Nations climate change conference is a welcome opportunity to accelerate this process forward, as we work in tandem with businesses across our industry and beyond to drive rapid, meaningful change.”
He added that the predominant model in UK construction means that the supply chain is responsible for around 80% of the sector’s emissions. The survey’s aim was to understanding how prepared the supply chain is to reduce carbon emissions and where it needs more support.
50% of those responding to the questionnaire say they struggle with getting the new, lower carbon products, materials and processes they need adopted by customers due to the risk-averse nature of the sector and the ongoing overriding focus on short-term cost.
The report also includes many fascinating comments from professionals in the supply chain. Chris Matthew, Strategic Manager with Flannery Plant Hire, says: “You do pay a premium for low carbon plant at the moment. It can be 10-15% more expensive or, for a fully electric, there can be a 30-40% premium. But there are savings in fuel costs and, of course, the more people use it or buy it, the cheaper it gets. We won’t move forward on decarbonisation by sticking with the lowest price, most polluting options.”
You can also read comments from Tim Burnhope, Chief Innovation and Growth Officer with JCB; Amelia Woodley, Director of Environmental, Social and Governance at Speedy Services; and Megan Adlen, Group Sustainability Director with Travis Perkins amongst many others.
Over the coming weeks, Balfour Beatty will announce a series of activities and initiatives to support targets set out in its sustainability strategy, “Building New Futures”.
Photo shows Balfour Beatty’s Greater Gabbard wind farm project off the Suffolk coast.
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