- An increasing number of organizations around the globe are setting net zero carbon goals.
- Before they can set their net zero targets, entities must be consistent in how and what they measure.
- SmartWaste combines everything a construction or design firm needs to measure their Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. This makes the reporting process more efficient.
FuturebuildThe UK Government and the industry are leading the way in achieving net zero in the built world.
Stuart Blofeld, the keynote speaker at this year’s event, discussed the challenges companies face in identifying, tracking, and mitigating carbon emissions, especially those that fall under the Scope 3 category.
An increasing number organisations are setting net zero-carbon targets around the world. It’s not easy without the right knowledge or tools.
Blofeld admits that there are many things to measure when it is carbon in the built environment.
He says that the first step is to identify carbon emitters in your company and determine whether they are within Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 (or across multiple scopes).
Blofeld explains that Scope 1 emissions refer to direct emissions from combustible fuels or company vehicles in the context of a construction project.
Scope 2 is mainly about electrical consumption. Many UK companies working in the built environment have been measuring Scope 1 and 2, in accordance with regulatory frameworks, for many years.
Scope 3 now has the spotlight.
This is where all the attention is right now, with clients, major contractors, and smaller companies wanting to measure Scope 3 emissions. Blofeld states that companies must also consider their Scope 3 emission if they are to become net zero.
According to the Carbon TrustScope 3 refers to all indirect emissions that occur within a company’s value chain, such waste disposal or purchased goods and services.
Scope 3 has the greatest impact on any construction project, Blofeld states. We are referring to the entire supply chain, including embodied carbon in materials, transport, water, and waste treatment. Scope 3 emissions are all the products and materials that go into the building.
Scope 3 emissions can seem daunting with so many variables to consider. Blofeld says that there is help.
What are the Scope 3 reporting issues?
Blofeld says that companies must first decide on the sources they want to report and then choose the system to begin measuring carbon.
Are we going create our own system, or will we just use spreadsheets like so many companies, or will we go with an external tool like SmartWasteTo help monitor and measure carbon dioxide emissions
Data sources can also be problematic because there are so many.
Blofeld explains that there is no one database that everyone uses. There are many databases for measuring carbon. DEFRA. There are many databases that can be used to find materials. Some are better than others. Once you have this information, you can create your supply chain.
While contractors are currently measuring direct emissions, many don’t measure the emissions of their supply chains. Many construction projects involve a large number of subcontractors who deliver individual work packages.
Scope 3 can be accurately measured by contractors and other businesses in construction. They will need to also obtain data on carbon emissions from their supply chains.
However, this information can be very difficult to obtain on the ground during construction projects.
What is SmartWaste? How can it help you?
SmartWaste combines everything a construction or design firm needs to measure their Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. This makes the reporting process more efficient.
It measures a wide range of environmental impacts such as waste, energy, materials, transport, biodiversity, and also social value. This module is new.
SmartWaste is being used by contractors to monitor their site-based impacts. The software can be used by companies to create reports and select from over 400 KPIs.
Many energy types are spread across Scope 1, 2, and 3. This is something that many people may not realize. These factors are embedded in SmartWaste tool to assist you with carbon reporting. They are also updated annually.
SmartWaste currently contains approximately 100 materials factors. This number is growing daily. This data can be used by design teams to guide the design of buildings, according to Blofeld. I simply record any concrete or timbre delivery on site in SmartWaste. I can then report on my embodied Carbon.
SmartWaste is able to perform all carbon calculations for companies. It can also determine if a material was responsibly sourced.
Soon to be launched: The Built Environment Carbon Database
In addition to measuring the impact on raw materials, there is a demand in the built environment for products such as plasterboard.
The Built Environment Carbon Database(BECD) will be launched in October 2022. The database will be split into two halves. One will cover the entire building and users can extrapolate data at the building level. The other half will focus on individual products.
This data will be used for product-level information and will be used in support of both the design and operation stages. It is hoped that this will provide better data for carbon assessment on your projects.
SmartWaste can link to the BECD database via APIs. SmartWaste will also link to an organization’s carbon reporting system. This is provided that the system has an API (to facilitate the flow and data).
What is Science Based Targets?
Many companies are signing on to Science-Based Targets, says Blofeld. SBT is a framework which provides a clear structure for setting your near and long-term goals. [carbon] targets, and the reason it’s gaining in popularity is that its very precise and methodical.
The longer-term goals are net zero ambition. They align with the Paris Agreement.
SBT offers validation and full company disclosure. You can log on to the website and set your targets. These targets can then be validated. Blofeld says that this is what many of our clients already do. However, you can’t target until you know your baseline. This requires a lot of measurement.
This means that you must be consistent in your measurement methods before you set your net zero goals.
CountrysideLarge house builder and SmartWaste user. It launched a new sustainability program in May 2021. It also signed up to the SBT Initiative, which set 27 targets for carbon, waste, water and other materials.
SmartWaste works also with refurbishment and refit specialists BW.
BW was similar to Countryside and used spreadsheets for carbon reporting before adopting SmartWaste. This company has a complex supply chain. It requires a centralised and accurate system to manage Scope 1, 2 & 3 monitoring and reporting.
The last case study is Colas. Blofeld says that it is a large contractor and one of the leading leaders in transport infrastructure across 50 nations, primarily around civil projects and maintenance roads, highways, and airports.
It is reusing and repurposing materials in all its projects. The company has set goals to reduce its global carbon emissions by 30 percent by 2030. Blofeld explained that the COLAS Environmental Manager used to spend 2 days per month creating the company’s carbon report. Now they can just press a button and have it ready in minutes.
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