Let’s be SMART on CO2nstructZero: net zero carbon in construction

Many readers will be aware of SMART objectives from performance reviews or project management training.

A SMART objective needs to be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound. In April the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) launched their CO2nstructZero initiative, which aims to achieve net zero carbon in construction.

According to the Green Building Council, net zero carbon is achieved when the amount of carbon emissions associated with a building’s product and construction stages up to practical completion is zero or negative, through  the use of offsets or the net export of on-site renewable energy – the ‘specific’ component in our SMART objective.

Key focus areas of the CO2nstructZero action plan

The three core principles of the CO2nstructZero programme are performance measurement: measuring progress against a collated suite of milestones, metrics and targets; signposting and support; providing accessibility and visibility on the programme’s aims, and the development of support tools and initiatives.

Business champions are invited to participate to showcase best practice, share learning and demonstrate leadership in de-carbonisation; and communications and engagement: with Government, clients and through sector engagement.

The early focus of CLC’s communications strategy will be with Government to help shape legislation, building regulations and policy initiatives to align with the programme’s aims – the ‘measureable’ component in our SMART objective.

Underpinning the core principles are nine priorities:

1. zero emissions from construction vehicles and on-site plant;
2. modern methods of construction;
3. championing developments and infrastructure that deliver low carbon modes of transport (for example EV charging hubs);
4. retrofitting to improve energy efficiency;
5. low carbon heat solutions;
6. enhancing the energy performance of new and existing buildings
7. carbon measurement;
8. designing out carbon; and
9. support for innovation in low carbon use in materials and solutions and support for low carbon manufacturing, production and distribution, combining the advantages of a circular economy.

Are the priorities achievable?

Turning back to our SMART objective, there will inevitably be questions as to whether all nine priorities can viewed as ‘achievable’ and ‘realistic’. I am optimistic they can be, and this CLC initiative could be the real driving force the sector needs to collaborate and succeed on net zero carbon.

However, retrofitting is a challenge. The CO2nstructZero programme will have its work cut out to meet the Scottish Government’s policy ambition that emissions from buildings be near zero by 2050 - with 35% of domestic and 70% of non-domestic buildings' heat to be supplied using low carbon technologies by 2032.

To have any chance of achieving these zero carbon goals, CLC’s core principle of communications and engagement must be worked hard to overcome societal resistance, infrastructure issues, and to deliver the significant investment needed through Governmental funding and grant support.

For example, a recent study in April this year by the Energy and Utilities Alliance found that 54% of UK homes using gas for heating will not be suitable for a heat pump.

Does the CO2nstructZero programme meet the "time-bound" requirement?

I think at this early stage, it would be difficult to impose a meaningful time constraint on the programme.

There are a large number of policy targets dates out there to consider, from the both UK and Scottish Governments covering a range of issues from renewable energy generation, increases in hydrogen production and gas heating phase-out.

The real benefit of the CO2nstructZero programme is that it will give the sector an authoritative and persuasive platform to help shape these time-bound targets and give the construction sector its best chance that they will actually be met.

Related News, Insights & Events