The time is now

The future is in our hands

Climate change is one of the greatest environmental challenges that society has ever faced. It’s beyond time for everyone to get involved, own the changes required, raise our voices and build back a better planet for everyone and everything that lives here now, and for the generations to come.

Now, more than ever, we are confronted with the fragility of life, and in these uncertain times, it has become clear that we must take even more action.Thousands of species are already extinct, temperatures are rising, ice caps are melting and carbon emissions are increasing.According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the concentration of greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere have been rising steadily, along with global temperatures, since the industrial revolution.The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) states that the global average temperature was 1.1^oC above the pre-industrial period, worryingly close to a level of 1.5^oC, at which point scientists say lasting damage and devastating effects begin to scale faster for every fraction above 1.5^oC.

To put that in context, at 1.5^oC, over 70% of coral reefs will die, and at 2^oC over 99% of reefs will be lost.

The UK Green Building Council states that around 45% of the UK’s total carbon footprint is from the built environment. Almost half of this is from the energy used in operating the buildings.Whilst this figure is stark, what it does mean is that in the construction sector, we have a real opportunity to make significant change in the fight against climate emergency.

Thatching at the
UEA Enterprise Centre

As part of Morgan Sindall Group, we have been tracking our performance and tackling the challenges that face our industry.Since 2016 we have been reducing our Scope 3 emissions going from an A- score three years running to an A rating in 2020 from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) - and are one of the very few companies to achieve this globally.

Since 2016 we have reduced our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 13% and our carbon intensity by 26%, and are working to reduce our Scope 3 emissions in the value chain. Indeed, we were the first UK construction firm to have our approach to reducing carbon validated by SBTi.

Taking this further, we will have achieved Net Zero for our own operation by 2030 at the latest, and we're working rapidly towards a climate positive position.This however, has limited material impact on our purpose, to enhance the communities in which we all live, learn, work, play, care, and protect, which is why we have created Decarbonising Communities.

"This journey has only just begun, and it is definitely an infinite one – a cause close to our hearts, because now, more than ever, we are being entrusted to pass on a healthy, happy and sustainable planet for generations to come. The future is in our hands, and together we have the power to change it for the better."

Louise TownsendHead of Social Value and Sustainability