Carbon Reduction Plan: Net-zero by 2035

1. Design and Material Sourcing
• Low-Carbon Materials: Transition to low-carbon and renewable building materials, such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), recycled steel, or bio-based insulation materials. Explore materials with Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for transparency on their carbon impact.
• Circular Design Principles: Implement designs that allow for modular units to be disassembled, reused, and repurposed, supporting a circular economy and reducing waste.
• Embodied Carbon Analysis: Perform Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) for all projects to measure and minimize embodied carbon in materials, manufacturing, and construction.
 

2. Manufacturing and Construction Operations
• Factory and Construction Site Efficiency:
o Retrofit manufacturing facilities for energy efficiency, focusing on lighting (switch to LED), HVAC, and insulation.
o Install onsite renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, to power manufacturing processes.
• Waste Reduction:
o Establish waste reduction targets for both manufacturing and construction phases.
o Implement waste separation and recycling programs to divert as much waste as possible from landfills.
• Fleet Electrification: Transition your construction and delivery fleet to electric or hybrid vehicles. Invest in electric cranes and other machinery to reduce emissions from construction activities.
 

3. Supply Chain Management
• Partner Engagement: Work with suppliers who prioritize sustainable and carbon-neutral practices, and choose local suppliers to reduce transportation emissions.
• Green Procurement Standards: Develop procurement policies favoring suppliers who use renewable energy, low-impact transportation, and sustainable practices. Regularly review suppliers for their alignment with your carbon reduction goals.
 

4. Onsite Energy and Resource Efficiency
• Renewable Energy Integration: Where possible, design modular buildings
to include onsite renewables, such as rooftop solar panels or small wind turbines, to
reduce operational energy needs.
• Energy-Efficient Systems: Equip buildings with energy-efficient systems, such as smart thermostats, energy recovery ventilators, and efficient lighting, to minimize operational energy use.
• Water Conservation: Install water-saving fixtures, rainwater harvesting systems, and greywater recycling to reduce water usage and the energy associated with water heating.
 

5. Carbon Offsetting and Capture
• Nature-Based Solutions: Invest in afforestation, reforestation, and soil carbon sequestration projects as part of a carbon offset strategy for emissions that cannot be eliminated.
• Direct Carbon Capture: Explore partnerships or investments in carbon capture technology as it becomes more viable, particularly for operations where emissions are hard to eliminate completely.
• Modular Carbon Offsets: Consider designing carbon offset products, like green roofs or tree-filled courtyards, as part of modular units to absorb carbon on-site.
 

6. Certification and Monitoring
• Green Building Certifications: Aim for certifications such as LEED, BREEAM, or Passive House for modular buildings. These certifications will ensure high energy performance standards and reduce operational carbon.
 

• Carbon Accounting and Reporting: Adopt robust carbon accounting software to track emissions, assess performance against targets, and make data-driven decisions.
•  Annual Reviews and Audits: Conduct annual environmental audits and reviews to assess progress and make adjustments to the reduction plan as technologies evolve.
 

7. Employee Training and Engagement
• Sustainability Training: Offer training for employees on sustainable building practices, energy efficiency, and waste reduction.
• Sustainability Culture: Encourage sustainable habits at work, such as reducing single-use plastics, promoting public transport, and incentivizing green commuting.
 

8. Stakeholder Collaboration and Transparency
• Transparency with Stakeholders: Regularly publish your carbon reduction progress and plans, both for accountability and to inspire similar actions in the industry.
• Industry Partnerships: Collaborate with industry associations and governments to support policies promoting low-carbon building practices.
 

Timeline Overview
• By 2025: Complete energy efficiency retrofits in factories, initiate supplier
sustainability audits, implement waste reduction and green procurement policies.
 

• By 2030: Achieve 50% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions through renewable energy and efficiency measures, electrify 75% of the fleet.
• By 2035: Achieve net-zero across scopes 1, 2, and 3 emissions through reduced embodied carbon, operational efficiency, and verified offsets.
 

Mark Lee
Managing Director
06-06-2022
Reviewed: 04-01-2024 (ML)