Morgan Sindall targets net-zero emissions by 2030

The Morgan Sindall Group is the latest construction company to commit to reaching net-zero emissions, aiming to reach that milestone by 2030 at the latest.


Morgan Sindall targets net-zero emissions by 2030

Last year

Morgan Sindall Group will aim to reach net-zero by 2030 and has set targets to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions – mainly from fuel, vehicle fleet emissions and electricity use – by 30% by 2030 against a 2019 baseline. In addition, Scope 3 emissions will be reduced by 60% in the same timeframe.

The company has confirmed that any unavoidable emissions will be offset in the UK.

“We believe that this target is ambitious yet achievable,” the company’s chief executive John Morgan said as the Group presented its Full Year Results.

“It builds upon years of efforts as a responsible business to lessen our carbon footprint – to design differently, to use less energy in our projects, to help create the built that environment society needs, without undue damage.”

The Morgan Sindall Group has reduced Scope 1, 2 and operational-based Scope 3 emissions by 64% since 2021. Carbon intensity – the amount emitted per unit of energy consumed – has also been reduced by 75% over the same period. 

To drive progress towards the net-zero goal, an in-house carbon calculator has been created and an internal price on carbon introduced to embed decarbonisation across all decision-making processes.

The company will also promote more offsite, modular building projects as a way to reduce emissions. In 2020 alone, Morgan Sindall Construction delivered eight offsite projects, including six schools. A biodiversity net-gain approach will also be championed.

Last year, Morgan Sindall was among the construction firms to jointly declare a climate emergency.

The declaration was been made following discussions amongst leading contractors such as BAM Construct UK, BAM Nuttall, Canary Wharf Contractors, Morgan Sindall Group plc, Multiplex, Sir Robert McAlpine, Skanska UK and Willmott Dixon.

Through the UK Contractors Declare initiative, the founding organisations will make a “statement of intent” ahead of launching specific action plains aligned to the net-zero movement by 2050 at the latest.

The built environment sector as a whole is regarded as one of the UK’s hardest-to-abate sectors, accounting for around 40% of national annual energy consumption and 33% of national annual emissions.

Matt Mace

Action inspires action. Stay ahead of the curve with sustainability and energy newsletters from edie

Subscribe