The new building control regime introduced under the Building Safety Act does not begin and end with Higher Risk Buildings (HRBs), with some fundamental changes applying more broadly, the Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) has warned. October 1st marked a key milestone in the implementation of the Act with the
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published the findings from its latest Future Trends Survey, a monthly report of business and employment trends affecting the architects’ profession. The findings show that architects felt less upbeat about future workloads and staffing levels in October, following September’s partial recovery. Over the next three months, practices expect workloads – across all
Wates Group has announced that it has approved near and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The company has had its target for scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 validated by the SBTi. This puts Wates five years ahead of
Guide supports the city-region’s ambitious drive to be carbon neutral by 2038 Greater Manchester Combined Authority has partnered with CBRE’s ESG Consultancy team to create a new commercial Occupier Retrofit Guide to support the city-region’s ambitious drive to be carbon neutral by 2038. The collaborative guide aims to help commercial
Reductions in carbon emissions from buildings are stalling in several G20 countries in Europe (UK, France, and Germany) and emissions are now rising in the USA, warns a major new study from sustainability consultancy 3Keel for Kingspan, Kingspan is the global leader in high-performance insulation and energy-efficient building solutions. The
A group of leading materials scientists has called for the cement and construction sectors to urgently adopt low carbon cement technologies to radically reduce CO2 emissions. Cement is responsible for almost 8% of global CO2 emissions – more than shipping, aviation and long-haul trucking combined. Convening at a symposium in
Trimble Luckins is excited to introduce its new digital product data management solution for MEP manufacturers. ePim4Luckins is available from today and offers existing and new customers an easy-to-use portal for viewing, updating, and publishing product data directly to the LUCKINSlive network, including over 14,000 wholesalers, specifiers, and contractors across
With reports for Phase 3 of the UK Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) required by 5 June 2024, a leading testing, inspection and certification expert is advising participants to act now for robust understanding of their energy consumption. The mandatory efficiency assessment and monitoring scheme requires engaged organisations to conduct
By Dr Gareth Davies, Carbon Reduction Scientist, PhD & Dr Luan Ho, Carbon Reduction Scientist, PhD – Tunley Environmental Concrete, the most extensively used manmade material worldwide, carries a significant environmental burden, contributing to 8% of anthropogenic GHG emissions. With a staggering 30 Gt produced annually, the material consumption is
Business one of only 30 members awarded new standard McLaughlin & Harvey has been awarded Platinum accredited membership via The 5% Club’s 2023-24 Employer Audit Scheme. The award recognises significant contributions made to the development of employees through “earn & learn” schemes such as Apprenticeships, Graduate Schemes and Sponsored Students
The new building control regime introduced under the Building Safety Act does not begin and end with Higher Risk Buildings (HRBs), with some fundamental changes applying more broadly, the Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) has warned. October 1st marked a key milestone in the implementation of the Act with the Building Safety Regulator commencing its role as the new building control authority for HRBs, which include high-rise residential buildings, hospitals and care homes. However, TICA says the Act’s effect has a much wider impact and includes evidencing that individuals and organisations appointed to undertake work are competent to do, regardless of building type. Competence is already a major talking point among many specialist trades, and it is not uncommon to find them bypassed in the search for greater profit – with TICA having already highlighted examples of pre-insulated pipework systems being used with inadequate fire safety and thermal properties. It says there is an inherent understanding that Tier 1 and Tier 2 contractors cannot be experts in every specialist trade required on a construction site. However, Tier 1 and Tier 2 contractors will need to evidence that they understand specialist trade competence and specification compliance, and that they are therefore competent to award contracts to specialist trade contractors. In many cases the expectations placed upon specialist contractors by the Building Safety Act does not reflect the situation on the ground and the reality facing many TICA members is that they either lose out to a non-spec compliant bid or are encouraged to alter the specification to remain in the race. TICA is the sole trade association for thermal insulation in the UK and ensuring its members are well equipped to meet their own requirements for evidencing competence is a key priority. It is also working with other industry leaders to ensure that junctions between trades are managed correctly. So, what should Tier 1 or Tier 2 contractors consider when appointing a thermal insulation contractor? Build UK chief executive Suzannah Nichol MBE recently emphasised the importance of co-operation, trust and teamwork throughout the supply chain and offered the following analogy: “Just like in a relay race, the baton for building safety needs to be held by someone at all times and properly handed over; if dropped at any point, the team is disqualified. To make it round the track, the team needs to work together, rely on each other, and fine-tune the handover points.” This elegantly highlights the importance of ensuring a correct handover at every stage in a construction project. However, we must not forget that specialist trades are also part of the team. TICA CEO Marion Marsland said “The Building Safety Act will generate a huge amount of secondary legislation that specialist contractors must understand. TICA continues to work hard, ensuring our members have the relevant information and knowledge to comply. Our role in specialist ‘Super Sector ‘ defining our sector competency continues, and we hope to complete this work by the end of 2024.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published the findings from its latest Future Trends Survey, a monthly report of business and employment trends affecting the architects’ profession. The findings show that architects felt less upbeat about future workloads and staffing levels in October, following September’s partial recovery. Over the next three months, practices expect workloads – across all sectors – to fall overall, reflecting high levels of pessimism in the housing sector. The ‘optimism gap’ between small and larger practices has also shrunk as confidence wavers among larger practices, and staffing levels are expected to drop. Uptick in workload optimism proves short-lived In October, the RIBA Future Trends Workload Index fell by 7 points to -8. Over the next three months, 21% of practices expect workloads to increase, 28% expect them to decrease, and 51% expect them to stay the same. Small practices (1-10 staff) returned a confidence figure of -9, dropping by five points, while medium (11+ staff) and large (50+ staff) practices returned a combined figure of +2 – a positive number, but a 5-point drop from last month. All four monitored work sectors provided a negative, deteriorated outlook on future work. The outlook for the Private Housing sector fell by 15 points to -22; the Commercial sector fell by 4 points to -4; the Public sector fell by 5 points to -10; and the Community sector fell by 6 points to -7. Regionally, only the North of England maintained a positive outlook. Return to pessimism on staffing hits larger practices hardest In October, the RIBA Future Trends Permanent Staffing Index fell by 5 points to -4, showing that overall, practices expect to employ fewer permanent staff. RIBA Head of Economic Research and Analysis Adrian Malleson said: “After last month’s partial recovery, this month’s survey results reflect a more downbeat profession. While we can assume that the sharp downturn in potential Private Housing sector work is impacting smaller practices, larger practices are also moderating their workload expectations. Across the board, workloads continue to feel the squeeze of planning delays, a weak UK economy, client payment delays, financing uncertainty, and increased interest rates. Practices also report project delays caused by clients and the industry adapting to regulatory changes, such as the requirement for a second staircase for buildings over 18 metres, and the implementation of the Building Safety Act. Nevertheless, some practices continue to report demand for their services outstripping their capacity, with full pipelines of work, and healthy levels of new enquiries. Several practices report more new enquiries after a quiet spring and summer. We will continue to report our findings to the Government and work with other built environment bodies to monitor these trends.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wates Group has announced that it has approved near and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The company has had its target for scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 validated by the SBTi. This puts Wates five years ahead of the UK 2050 national Net Zero target. Wates is prioritising direct emissions reduction, however currently, 98% of the company’s greenhouse gas emissions fall under scope 3, with 85% of these from the products and services the company purchases from its supply chain. Reducing these emissions will therefore play a major role in reducing total emissions, and Wates is working closely with its supply chain partners to identify and deliver the necessary carbon reductions. The science-based Net Zero target is in addition to Wates’ existing near-term target which includes: • reducing Wates’ absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions by almost half (46.2%) by the end of 2030 against a 2019 baseline (The target boundary includes land-related emissions and removals from bioenergy feedstocks). • a commitment that 89% of Wates’ suppliers (by emissions) covering purchased goods and services will have science-based targets by the end of 2027. Wates’ ambition is to exceed its near-term target, as part of the Race to Zero campaign, and the company plans to halve its scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 2030 against a 2019 baseline. Bekir Andrews, Interim ESG Director at Wates, said: “Having our targets validated by the SBTi is an important step to ensuring their validity and demonstrates our commitment to improve the sustainability of our business. “Our science-based Net Zero target is particularly ambitious given the carbon-intensive industry in which we operate. The UK’s buildings currently account for 25% of the country’s total emissions, making decarbonisation of this sector both more challenging and more critical. “We look forward to engaging with colleagues across our entire value chain to minimise our impact on the environment and establish sustainable business models for years to come. “The validation of a Net Zero target demonstrates Wates’ broader leadership in this space. Earlier this year, Wates announced its Environmental Sustainability Plan which illustrates its’ principal targets and the actions necessary to drive change.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Guide supports the city-region’s ambitious drive to be carbon neutral by 2038 Greater Manchester Combined Authority has partnered with CBRE’s ESG Consultancy team to create a new commercial Occupier Retrofit Guide to support the city-region’s ambitious drive to be carbon neutral by 2038. The collaborative guide aims to help commercial occupiers understand the actions they can take to play their part in delivering the Greater Manchester’s carbon neutral ambitions and wider sustainability strategy. To achieve this target, Greater Manchester has taken steps to tackle emissions across multiple sectors, especially in buildings and transport, where emissions are the highest. The scale of mitigation activities is increasing year on year, however there is much more to do. Commercial buildings account for 6% of Greater Manchester’s total carbon footprint. Councillor Tom Ross, Greater Manchester Lead for Green City-region, said: “To achieve our ambitious environmental aims, we must not only build better, greener buildings, but must also improve the quality of our many existing buildings across the city-region. Local Authorities are already leading by example, with 240 public buildings having been fitted with energy efficiency measures and low carbon heating systems over the last four years. “But improving public sector buildings will only get us so far – we need to encourage commercial building owners and occupiers to do the same. This new guide will provide examples of good practice to help them do just that, all whilst supporting our wider sustainability strategy, which includes increasing the energy efficiency of fuel poor homes, installing more local renewable energy generation and improving public and active transport.” The purpose of the guide is not only intended to steer occupiers towards what to look for, but to help them understand the associated benefits linked with effective retrofit. It focuses on two areas including best practice certification, giving an overview of current market certifications and the benefits related with each; as well as guidance on landlord engagement and green leases, with advice on how to maximise the impact during the term of a contract, and energy provision and management. Part two of the guide expands on circular economy solutions, covering design principles for the future based on the dynamic of reduce, reuse and recycle. It helps to crystalise the direct benefits to organisations, such as direct cash impacts through lower energy bills and reduced operating costs; enhanced strategic and corporate alignment through ESG strategy compliance and ESG messaging to stakeholders; and ultimately improved wellbeing and talent retention through a healthier work environment, and better employee facilities. Lucinda Lay, Associate Director, ESG Consultancy, CBRE, said: “Greater Manchester has one of the most ambitious targets in relation to the climate emergency. By collaborating with the team on this project we can play an important role in helping them realise the city region’s ambitious plans to reach carbon neutrality by 2038, with the role of retrofit playing a significant part in its push. “Sustainability and real estate trends are accelerating. We have investor demands expanding, increasing sustainability and climate change regulation and we have tenant demands evolving. It’s all coming together to actually need greater consideration of ESG and sustainability in the built environment. That’s why guides such as this commissioned by the Council are crucial to get ahead of the climate curve.”
Reductions in carbon emissions from buildings are stalling in several G20 countries in Europe (UK, France, and Germany) and emissions are now rising in the USA, warns a major new study from sustainability consultancy 3Keel for Kingspan, Kingspan is the global leader in high-performance insulation and energy-efficient building solutions. The Global Retrofit Index interim report – a follow on to the inaugural 2022 study -examines historical buildings emission trends and retrofitting rates to identify the gaps between current action and what is required to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement*. The publication includes a deep dive analysis of building emissions data of some of the highest performing countries in last year’s inaugural study, with the addition of Ireland’s relatively young building stock this year as an interesting EU-based case study. Whilst progress has been made amongst EU economies – namely, the Netherlands, France, Ireland, and Germany – the analysis finds emission reductions in these countries are now stalling, whilst the UK’s emissions are also beginning to plateau, and concerningly, in the USA, GHG emissions from buildings are increasing. ***(Global Retrofit Index Release) Analysis by 3Keel has revealed the reductions in building emissions over the past decade, and the additional cuts in building emissions required to align with the national net zero scenario of each country [see Table 1 below]. If each of the six countries continue with their current GHG emissions reduction trajectory and retrofitting rates over the past ten years, by 2040 these major global economies will be some distance from achieving their respective net zero pathways. Table 1: Country Reduction in building emissions between 2010 – 2020 (%) Additional reduction in building emissions required between 2020- 2040 to align with national net zero scenario (%) US +3% -73% UK -6% -71% Germany -19% -81% Ireland -25% -99% France -31% -77% Netherlands -36% -64% [See appendix A for individual country net zero scenario charts] Furthermore, detailed analysis of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) data shows buildings in the UK, France, and Ireland have seen relatively little improvement in the past decade with the vast majority still rated C, D or below. This means they are not energy efficient enough to deliver the decarbonisation required by the Paris Agreement. Meanwhile, Germany’s residential building stock continues to be over-reliant on fossil-fuel heating. Though retrofitting solutions already exist, the study identifies sizeable barriers preventing rapid and widespread implementation including insufficient private investment, an inadequately sized and skilled workforce, and limited awareness amongst citizens and building owners. Despite retrofitting remaining a significant challenge, its importance in decarbonising the built environment has never been more evident – 80 per cent of the buildings that will be standing in 2050 have already been built[1]. Recognising the barriers to decarbonisation, the report also identifies five key elements that are central to delivering a successful retrofitting framework: Each of these elements is crucial to enabling effective, affordable, and at scale retrofitting of national building stocks. Retrofitting building stocks also offers significant opportunities and benefits beyond meeting climate targets, including job creation, reductions in social inequality, and improved health and quality of living. Report author Olwen Smith of 3Keel said, “With over a quarter of total global emissions stemming from the operation of our buildings, retrofitting is a pivotal lever for decarbonising the global economy. However, this study shows a concerning stagnation of progress. Our analysis of six countries with old building stocks reveals that reductions in building emissions are now stalling and retrofitting rates are lagging far behind what is required to meet net-zero goals. The tools and technologies required to improve energy performance in buildings already exist. Coordinated efforts between governments and the private sector are now needed to overcome implementation barriers and rapidly scale retrofitting to drive down building emissions globally.” Bianca Wong, Global Head of Sustainability at Kingspan said, “This analysis again demonstrates the importance of retrofitting as a lever in decarbonising the built environment if we’re to limit global warming to 1.5˚C and meet the objectives set out by the Paris Agreement.With this report, we encourage policymakers and the construction industry to continue to work together to facilitate change, through innovation and regulation, to bring forward workable ideas to support retrofit solutions and reduce global building emissions.” APPENDIX A: [1] World Economic Forum – Net Zero Carbon Cities https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/11/net-zero-cities-retrofit-older-buildings-cop27/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A group of leading materials scientists has called for the cement and construction sectors to urgently adopt low carbon cement technologies to radically reduce CO2 emissions. Cement is responsible for almost 8% of global CO2 emissions – more than shipping, aviation and long-haul trucking combined. Convening at a symposium in Paris hosted by Ecocem, Europe’s leading low carbon cement technology business, the scientists shared latest research papers on low carbon cement technologies and focused on ideas and materials which can accelerate decarbonisation of the sector. Global demand for cement is expected to grow in the coming decades. The WEF (World Economic Forum) amongst others, predicts that demand for cement could increase by up to 45% by 2050. The scientists said that “effective solutions are needed urgently if the construction sector as a whole is to decarbonise in line with a 1.5°C trajectory.” The scientists concluded that adopting the latest developments in low carbon cement technology is the quickest and most scalable way to make substantial emission reductions across the cement and construction industries by the end of 2030. The cement industry has long been considered hard-to-abate due to the use of clinker, the primary ingredient in cement, which is produced by heating limestone at extremely high temperatures. While low carbon cements already exist, the challenge to date has been to scale them. During the two-day event, the scientists reviewed new evidence on the use of alternative materials that reduce the volume of clinker, replacing it with a wide variety of locally sourced filler materials and natural Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs). In a call to action, the eleven scientists, representing a range of institutions from around the world (a full list of the academics and their institutions can be found in the editors’ notes), said that “it is no longer possible to say that we lack the technology or that the costs are prohibitive.” Materials science has advanced to a point where rapid decarbonisation of cement without excessive cost is now a reality. At the forefront of these advances is ACT, Ecocem’s latest technology which can reduce emissions from cement by 70% while ensuring that the concrete produced retains its workability, strength and durability, with the added benefit of using substantially less water and energy. ACT is globally scalable due to its compatibility with a wide variety of locally sourced filler materials and natural SCMs and can be produced in existing cement plants with minimal additional investment. Mohend Chaouche, CNRS Research Director, ENS Paris-Saclay, Laboratoire Mécanique de Paris-Saclay, and Director of the CNRS-Ecocem joint laboratory MC²E, said: “The urgency of developing and deploying low-carbon cements is no longer up for debate. ENS Paris-Saclay is very proud to have contributed to the birth of the ACT technology, which reduces the carbon footprint of cement by 70%. The intense years of R&D have paid off.” Martin Cyr, University Professor at University of Toulouse, Laboratory of Materials and Sustainability of Constructions and Director of the joint LMDC-Ecocem ORISON laboratory, added: “Low-clinker technologies developed and validated in the laboratory can now be deployed without scientific or technical barriers. These technologies represent a significant step towards reducing CO2 emissions, ahead of the industry’s 2030 roadmap.” Donal O’Riain, Founder and Managing Director of Ecocem, concluded: “The widespread adoption of ACT technology will enable the cement industry to drastically reduce its global emissions rapidly and cost effectively. Policymakers must speed up regulatory enablement to ensure low carbon cement technologies can be used more widely and that the investment made available to accelerate industrial deployment of these new technologies. I urge the cement sector to move quickly. We have opportunity to be the first industrial sector to comply with a 50% reduction in emissions by the end of 2030. The technology is available to decarbonise the whole cement sector in line with limiting global warming to 1.5°C. It is now our responsibility to ensure this happens.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Trimble Luckins is excited to introduce its new digital product data management solution for MEP manufacturers. ePim4Luckins is available from today and offers existing and new customers an easy-to-use portal for viewing, updating, and publishing product data directly to the LUCKINSlive network, including over 14,000 wholesalers, specifiers, and contractors across the UK. ePim4Luckins software was developed in collaboration with NG15 Ltd., developers of e-Pim and leading ‘product data information management’ provider to the construction industry. Bringing together the UK’s leading PIM software and the extensive reach of LuckinsLive product data syndication, provides manufacturers with a unique digital solution to control, edit, enrich, maintain, and quickly release product data directly to the end user. ePim4Luckins includes self-service templates that are pre-populated with Trimble Luckins data, with access to the dynamic delivery platform. It’s further enhanced by a unique ROI dashboard which shows analytics for a manufacturer’s product information, highlighting usage statistics and product information gaps. ePim4Luckins also offers an award-winning datasheet tool, which generates dynamic product information on-the-fly into a single sell sheet for customers. “We’re really excited about the benefits this collaboration offers our manufacturer customers. The construction industry in general is calling on manufacturers to make their product information completely transparent and ePim4Luckins will help them on this digitalisation journey. It provides them with the tools they need to take complete ownership of keeping their product data up-to-date and start managing their data in a structured, compliant way,” says Kevin Gutteridge, Director at Trimble Luckins. Shaun Cranstone from NG15 Ltd. adds, “We know that investing in getting product information correct and complete will lead to increased sales. When you provide accurate information you provide a better buying experience, enhancing customer loyalty and growth. The ePim4Luckins analytics dashboard proves this, and manufacturers will have total visibility of how their product data is being consumed, and what they can do to improve it.” For more information on ePim4Luckins, visit go.trimble.com/epim4luckins. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
With reports for Phase 3 of the UK Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) required by 5 June 2024, a leading testing, inspection and certification expert is advising participants to act now for robust understanding of their energy consumption. The mandatory efficiency assessment and monitoring scheme requires engaged organisations to conduct audits of their buildings, transport and industrial processes with the aim of identifying saving opportunities. Ahead of the compliance deadline, Claire McGeechan, consultant at BM TRADA, is prompting imminent action. “Although the deadline might seem a while away, there is no time to be complacent.” said Claire. “Reports must be ready to submit before the deadline, which relies on access to data from December 2022 and an effective audit strategy. Neither of these aspects are quick wins so ensuring the right processes are in place is key.” Under ESOS, UK organisations with an annual turnover in excess of £44m and annual balance sheet of over £38m, or those that employ at least 250 people in the UK, must submit a report every four years. The specifics of Phase 3 remain unconfirmed, however, Claire believes ISO 50001 certification provides a clear framework for managing energy usage. “Compliance relies on having collated the right data over the required period, through comprehensive understanding of how and where energy is used, as well as the identification, commitment to and implementation of improvement actions. “Although the data collection process should already be underway, it’s worth taking stock to prevent any gaps in processes. Energy management systems certification is therefore an ideal step and can help organisations prepare. Not only that, but it is a valuable way to demonstrate commitment to energy efficiency and the environment to customers, investors, and the wider community.”ISO 50001 is an energy management certification that provides a framework to understand energy usage and improve efficiency while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions. It is a means of compliance for ESOS Phase 3. Claire also urges organisations to ensure awarding bodies and auditors have the necessary accreditations. “To use ISO 50001 for ESOS compliance, the issuing certification body must be UKAS accredited otherwise certification will be non-compliant under the regulations. UKAS accreditation also provides confidence in the issuing body, and in turn, the competence of the organisation that has been certified.” To find out more information on BM TRADA’s certification services, please visit: https://www.element.com/certification/iso-50001-energy-management-certification Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
By Dr Gareth Davies, Carbon Reduction Scientist, PhD & Dr Luan Ho, Carbon Reduction Scientist, PhD – Tunley Environmental Concrete, the most extensively used manmade material worldwide, carries a significant environmental burden, contributing to 8% of anthropogenic GHG emissions. With a staggering 30 Gt produced annually, the material consumption is over 3.5 tonnes of concrete per person annually. The majority of the emissions (88.5%) emanate from cement production, the essential ingredient in concrete. Carbon sequestration in concrete presents a promising avenue to offset these emissions. This process, often referred to as carbonation or mineralisation, essentially reverses the initial cement production steps, where carbon dioxide is detached from calcium carbonate (limestone). Controlled carbonation of cementitious material, although first proposed in the 1970s, is recently garnering increased attention due to its substantial potential to mitigate against the colossal emissions from concrete production. However, carbonation is not without its challenges. Uncontrolled, it can lead to the corrosion of steel in reinforced concrete and the formation of harmful compounds, jeopardising the structural integrity of buildings. Yet, advancements in controlled carbonation methodologies have demonstrated the potential to not only sequester carbon dioxide but also enhance the properties of concrete. One such method involves utilising accelerated carbonation chambers to carbonate pre-cast materials, offering control over essential parameters such as CO2 concentration, humidity, and temperature. This impacts the rate and depth of carbonation, with the formation of calcium carbonate in the exterior pores blocking further carbonation. Emerging techniques explore embedding CO2-rich materials within the concrete mixture. A notable investigation by MIT researchers examined incorporating sodium bicarbonate, which dissolves and releases CO2 during curing. This innovative method not only sequesters carbon but also addresses the detrimental impacts of late-stage carbonation, such as shrinkage and crack formation. Furthermore, the possibility of reusing carbonated Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) from construction and demolition waste, which amounts to around 3 billion tonnes annually, offers an additional layer of environmental benefits. Although using RCA poses challenges such as increased costs and micro-cracking, controlled carbonation mitigates these issues and allows for a decrease in both water absorption and leaching instability. These advances in carbonation technology could potentially sequester 2 Gt of CO2 annually if implemented at scale, significantly reducing the environmental footprint of concrete production. When combined with the predicted 50% reduction from electrification, emissions could be curtailed to just 32.7% of the current levels. However, the journey towards sustainable concrete production is multifaceted and complex. As researchers and engineers continue to explore the potential of carbon sequestration in concrete, the combination of controlled carbonation and the incorporation of CO2-releasing materials represents a leap forward in our quest to mitigate the environmental impact of this ubiquitous material. In conclusion, the path to mitigating the environmental challenges posed by concrete production lies in innovative solutions such as carbon sequestration. By acting as a carbon sink, concrete has the potential to offset a significant portion of the emissions generated during its manufacturing stage. The incorporation of carbonated end-of-life concrete as filler material further underscores the potential of this material to contribute to a more sustainable future. References [1] S. A. Miller and F. C. Moore, “Climate and health damages from global concrete production,” Nat Clim Chang, vol. 10, no. 5, pp. 439–443, May 2020, doi: 10.1038/s41558-020-0733-0. [2] A. Petek Gursel, E. Masanet, A. Horvath, and A. Stadel, “Life-cycle inventory analysis of concrete production: A critical review,” Cem Concr Compos, vol. 51, pp. 38–48, 2014, doi: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2014.03.005. [3] P. C. Aïtcin, “Portland cement,” in Science and Technology of Concrete Admixtures, Elsevier Inc., 2016, pp. 27–51. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-08-100693-1.00003-5. [4] M. Stefanoni, U. Angst, and B. Elsener, “Corrosion rate of carbon steel in carbonated concrete – A critical review,” Cement and Concrete Research, vol. 103. Elsevier Ltd, pp. 35–48, Jan. 01, 2018. doi: 10.1016/j.cemconres.2017.10.007. [5] L. Qin, X. Gao, and T. Chen, “Influence of mineral admixtures on carbonation curing of cement paste,” Constr Build Mater, vol. 212, pp. 653–662, Jul. 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.04.033. [6] S. Hussain, D. Bhunia, and S. B. Singh, “Comparative study of accelerated carbonation of plain cement and fly-ash concrete,” Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 10, pp. 26–31, Mar. 2017, doi: 10.1016/j.jobe.2017.02.001. [7] B. Šavija and M. Luković, “Carbonation of cement paste: Understanding, challenges, and opportunities,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 117. Elsevier Ltd, pp. 285–301, Aug. 01, 2016. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.04.138. [8] N. Lippiatt, T. C. Ling, and S. Y. Pan, “Towards carbon-neutral construction materials: Carbonation of cement-based materials and the future perspective,” Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 28. Elsevier Ltd, Mar. 01, 2020. doi: 10.1016/j.jobe.2019.101062. [9] Z. Xu et al., “Effects of temperature, humidity and CO2 concentration on carbonation of cement-based materials: A review,” Construction and Building Materials, vol. 346. Elsevier Ltd, Sep. 05, 2022. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.128399. [10] J. Liu et al., “Carbonated concrete brick capturing carbon dioxide from cement kiln exhaust gas,” Case Studies in Construction Materials, vol. 17, Dec. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.cscm.2022.e01474. [11] Z. Li, Z. He, and X. Chen, “The performance of carbonation-cured concrete,” Materials, vol. 12, no. 22, Nov. 2019, doi: 10.3390/ma12223729. [12] D. Stefaniuk, M. Hajduczek, J. C. Weaver, F. J. Ulm, and A. Masic, “Cementing CO2 into C-S-H: A step toward concrete carbon neutrality,” PNAS Nexus, vol. 2, no. 3, Mar. 2023, doi: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad052. [13] Y. Pu et al., “Accelerated carbonation technology for enhanced treatment of recycled concrete aggregates: A state-of-the-art review,” Constr Build Mater, vol. 282, May 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.122671. [14] D. Xuan, B. Zhan, and C. S. Poon, “Assessment of mechanical properties of concrete incorporating carbonated recycled concrete aggregates,” Cem Concr Compos, vol. 65, pp. 67–74, Jan. 2016, doi: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2015.10.018. [15] T. Kikuchi and Y. Kuroda, “Carbon Dioxide Uptake in Demolished and Crushed Concrete,” 2011. [16] Z. Guo, A. Tu, C. Chen, and D. E. Lehman, “Mechanical properties, durability, and life-cycle assessment of concrete building blocks incorporating recycled concrete aggregates,” J Clean Prod, vol. 199, pp. 136–149, Oct. 2018, doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.07.069. https://www.tunley-environmental.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Business one of only 30 members awarded new standard McLaughlin & Harvey has been awarded Platinum accredited membership via The 5% Club’s 2023-24 Employer Audit Scheme. The award recognises significant contributions made to the development of employees through “earn & learn” schemes such as Apprenticeships, Graduate Schemes and Sponsored Students Course Placements. Launched to mark their 10th Anniversary, The 5% Club’s new top tier of Platinum Membership is awarded to those who have attained Gold Membership for three consecutive years, with the third year consisting of 10% or more staff members “earning and learning”. McLaughlin & Harvey is one of only 30 employers who have met the Platinum standard, putting them in the top 3% of members. Alison Reilly, Group HR Director, commented: “We have supported the 5% Club for a number of years as we believe investing in talent development creates a sustainable pipeline of skilled and motivated employees. Earn and learn employees currently make up 11.5% of McLaughlin and Harvey’s workforce. The initiative promotes diversity and inclusion in the workplace, addresses the skills gap and demonstrates our commitment to social responsibility and investing in long-term success and sustainability.” Mark Cameron OBE, Chief Executive at The 5% Club, said: “Our Employer Audit scheme recognises the efforts of all those employers who invest in their workforce through a broad range of workplace learning schemes. It is fantastic that in these challenging times so many are able to commit to the Employer Audit and to gain the credit for their efforts, and that the majority are striving to expand their schemes over the coming years. Their efforts and achievements are to be applauded. Even more impressive is the 3% percent who have achieved Platinum level membership – they represent the very best of our movement and of employers offering ‘earn and learn’ opportunities.” Gill Cronin, Director of Operations at The 5% Club added: “Having seen The Club grow to more than 900 members, I am always impressed at the commitment, drive and energy our members channel into offering “earn and learn” skills opportunities. To now see 20% of these members gain Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum accredited membership of The Club is inspiring and demonstrates how these companies are all contributing to the future of skills in our economy.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
