Phasing out diesel

6 June 2023

Construction industry leaders have endorsed plans to remove diesel from most sites by 2035 following a consultation process carried out by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC).

Over the last year, representatives from across the industry have collaborated on the development of the Zero Diesel Sites Route Map, a key element of the CLC’s CO2nstruct Zero programme to decarbonise the sector.As reporter previously on the blog, feedback was invited on this a year ago. 

The Route Map now confirms that the industry will adopt measures including supporting the rollout of hydrogen, electricity and other cleaner power sources; cutting the amount of diesel used by existing plant; and asking companies to reduce the use of diesel generators.

Advice will also be given to businesses for developing their own diesel reduction plans, and adopting measures to track data on diesel consumption in the industry to monitor progress.

There are currently an estimated 300,000 items of non-road mobile machinery (NRMM) used by UK construction. Typically, such plant is powered by diesel consuming 2.5 million tonnes of oil equivalent, generating significant carbon emissions, the CLC states.

The Route Map sets out practical measures to reduce this volume by 78 per cent by 2035, in line with the UK’s Sixth Carbon Budget published in 2021.

Speaking at the launch of the inititiative, Minister for Industry and Economic Security Nusrat Ghani said: “Cutting carbon emissions in construction is vital to achieving our net zero ambitions by 2050. That’s why I’m pleased to see the leadership the sector is showing by publishing this new Route Map, helping us move forward towards a cleaner, greener industrial future.”

The announcement was made at HS2’s Old Oak Common Station construction site in London, which aims to become diesel-free by 2029 like the rail construction company's other sites.