Royal BAM Group reports 9% increase in CO2 emissions

Construction and development firm Royal BAM Group has reported a 9% increase in carbon emissions in 2013, from 2012, which it claims is due to an increase in contracts last year.


In 2013, turnover in euros of the Civil Engineering sector was 56%, compared to 47% in 2009. This sector attributed to 84% of BAM’s total CO2 emissions in 2013, compared to 78% in 2009.

This largely contributed to the increase because within the Civil Engineering sector BAM’s activities outside of its home countries have the highest energy intensity.

BAM’s total energy consumption in 2013 was 3,730 terajoules (TJ), an increase from 3,383 TJ in 2012. This is equivalent to 272 kilotonnes in CO2 emissions, a rise from 249 kilotonnes in 2012.

However, in absolute terms, BAM’s carbon footprint fell by 2% compared to 2009 (277 kilotonnes CO2).

BAM’s target is to reduce its total CO2 emissions by 15% by 2015, based on the company’s 2009 emissions, taking into account turnover and project types.

In achieving this, BAM is carrying out an initiative in the Netherlands to reduce equipment fuel consumption by at least 10%. Other measures include improving operational efficiency around transport and buildings.

Meanwhile, the company has recently aimed to shift its operations towards a cradle-to-cradle approach, and has joined the Ellen MacArthur Circular Economy 100 (CE100) alliance.

In September 2013, BAM Construct UK launched a sustainability microsite to reflect in real-time its impact and performance.

Leigh Stringer

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