Costain cuts emissions

25 September 2023

Costain recently announced that its Carbon Reduction Plan shows a 38 per cent reduction in Scope 1 emissions, Scope 2 emissions cut by 19 per cent and emission intensity down by 1 per cent 

Scope 1 emissions are created directly by an organisation’s activities such as using fuel in vehicle fleets or, say, operating a furnace; Scope 2 relates to the electricity it purchases from the grid; and Scope 3 effectively covers everything else, including emissions throughout the entire supply chain, from products and the materials used in their manufacture, to packaging and transportation. 

Costain’s reduction in Scope 1 emission was largely achieved by transitioning to low-carbon fuels. Hydro-treated Vegetable Oil (HVO) made up 80 per cent of its fuel mix last year compared with 12 per cent in 2021. 

The company has also seen a 24 per cent reduction in the use of natural gas and a 19 per cent decrease in its Scope 2 emissions due to improved efficiencies, for example in office electricity use. Overall, by turnover (tCO2e/£M), total emissions across Scope 1, 2 and 3 have decreased by 10 per cent against its baseline, with an overall goal of achieving net zero by 2035. 

Scope 3 emissions from activities such as business travel, waste, water and energy and fuel-related activities saw a reduction against the baseline. Like most organisations, this the largest area of Costain’s footprint. 

Geraint Rowland, Costain’s Environmental Director, said: “Eliminating carbon emissions is fundamental to ensure we help shape UK infrastructure to mitigate and adapt to the global challenge of climate change. 

“We are on a journey to be a clean growth leader by cutting our own emissions but also working with government, regulators and clients to enable the uptake of low carbon technologies such as electric vehicles, carbon capture and storage, and hydrogen to cut carbon emissions across every sector.” 

Photo: Anncapictures