More than ever, contractors, manufacturers, owners, and designers are setting time-bound sustainability commitments to encourage low-carbon construction and keep our planet at safe global temperatures. Industry-leading organizations and groups are joining in the effort as well—an example is WorldGBC’s vision focus on cutting upfront carbon emissions and working toward all new construction, infrastructure, and renovations achieving at least a 40-percent reduction in embodied carbon by 2030.
Cross-industry collaboration plays an integral role in moving the needle toward green procurement and low-carbon construction. More specifically, a general contractor or a subcontractor’s ability to understand their role in widespread decarbonization is becoming an essential prerequisite for a successful project. Construction management firm Turner Construction Company understands the need for increased sustainability education across the industry to meet climate targets. The team has named its own time-bound emissions reductions commitments that they are actively working toward, including achieving Net Zero emissions in its operations (Scope 1 and 2) by 2030 and achieving Net Zero emissions across its supply chain (Scopes 1, 2, and 3) by 2040.
In this piece, we’ll take a look at specific tactics that Turner implements throughout their operations to help lower the embodied carbon of their construction projects.
1. Set Sustainability Goals Early
Establishing clear goals in specifications at the onset of a project is crucial for aligning sustainability efforts, including embodied carbon reduction. Early discussions around foundations, structure, enclosure, and MEP systems allow teams to explore options, understand benefits, and make informed decisions. Setting achievable, yet ambitious, carbon-reduction targets early influences industry practices, fosters innovation, and ensures that sustainability goals are embedded into project documents.
2. Utilize Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)
EPDs are essential for contractors to assess the environmental impact of materials like concrete. Using platforms like the Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3) from Building Transparency allows contractors to assess the carbon footprint of different materials, helping them make informed choices. Incorporating EPDs into the procurement process ensures that sustainability is considered at every stage, from design to material sourcing.
In markets where EPD data currently exists, Building Transparency observes 30 percent or more reductions in carbon emissions resulting from using EC3 to select and procure low-carbon materials.
3. Collaborate with Stakeholders & Suppliers on Low-Carbon Alternatives
Contractors should work closely with structural engineers, owners, and suppliers to develop lower carbon alternatives for materials like concrete mixes, which are often a primary driver of embodied emissions on projects. This type of collaboration can lead to significant reductions in embodied carbon. For instance, using alternative materials like slag and fly ash as cement replacements can drastically lower the carbon intensity of concrete. Contractors play a key role in evaluating the feasibility of these mixes and ensuring they fit within project timelines and budgets.
On one project in particular, Turner prioritized cross-industry collaboration to lower the carbon impact of concrete to achieve impressive results. The team partnered with a ready-mix supplier to develop a new concrete mix for the 8,000-psi mat foundation with a 66-percent cement replacement and saw a 62-percent GWP reduction compared to the NRMCA Cradle-to-Gate Life Cycle Assessment of Ready-Mixed Concrete Version 3 for the Eastern region.
Partnering with innovative suppliers is critical for accessing low-carbon material options. The availability of lower carbon alternatives is dependent on a number of factors including regional availability of materials, silo space, and local suppliers’ capabilities. Building strong relationships with forward-thinking suppliers can help contractors consistently meet carbon-reduction goals.
4. Continued Education and Buy-In
Educating teams about the importance of sustainability and decarbonization helps ensure that everyone, including subcontractors and suppliers, understands the goals and outlines specific steps to meet them. Collaboration and early buy-in from all parties involved, including trade partners, are crucial for refining strategies and achieving maximum carbon reductions.
The industry’s willingness to work together and develop layered strategies to reduce embodied carbon on construction projects hinges on the continued education of owners and AEC professionals. Resources are available for contractors and teams to learn more about their role in decarbonization through the Carbon Leadership Forum, Contractor’s Commitment, and Building Transparency’s contractorsCAN (Carbon Action Network).
Turner has a long and impressive history of driving deliberate and sustainable design across its project portfolio. In fact, the company has been ranked as the top Green Builder by Engineering News-Record for 18 consecutive years. Much of the company’s sustainability progress is not possible without cross-industry collaboration and collective understanding of the importance of driving decarbonization across the AEC industry. The four tactics listed above represent an effective roadmap for the construction management firm and its peers in making progress toward important and aggressive sustainability goals.
about the authors
Katie Poss is director of global policy and procurement at Building Transparency. Caroline Murray is regional sustainability manager at Turner Construction Company.