Low-carbon concrete flood defences to help Environment Agency hit net zero by 2030

Low-carbon concrete flood defences to help Environment Agency hit net zero by 2030

Written by Defra Press Office

The completed Hythe Ranges low-carbon concrete sea defence scheme, March 2021


There is coverage today of the Environment Agency’s roadmap to hit net zero as an organisation by 2030. The Evening Standard, Construction News and various local outlets report that low-carbon concrete will be used for flood defences, a move that will help reduce emissions by 45%.

This is alongside other measures such as energy-efficient pumps to help move water away from homes during floods and a switch to electric cars for the whole organisation by 2023. EA’s contractors and suppliers will also be pushed to do more, with large contracts building in commitments to reduce carbon footprints year-on-year.

Sir James Bevan, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, said:

Reaching net zero will be one of the biggest challenges the Environment Agency has ever faced. It will require every single one of us to play our part, and to think and act differently.

We will integrate net zero into every aspect of our work over the coming decade. By learning, sharing best practice and partnering with our suppliers, businesses and communities across the country, we will do everything we can to play our part in becoming a net zero nation and tackling the climate emergency that we all face.

Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency, said:

In the flurry of net zero announcements recently, many have questioned how some organisations are going to reach future targets. This roadmap sets out credible short-term and long-term action to bring down emissions in our operations and supply chain.

We can’t insulate our activities from the wider economy’s impact on the climate, which is why the Environment Agency’s work to help the country become more resilient to shocks like floods and heatwaves has never been more important.

You can do both. We are working with businesses and Departments across government to create resilient infrastructure and reach net zero at the same time, with tools like low carbon concrete. As a global ambassador for COP26’s Race to Resilience, I aim to bring practical examples of this work to the attention of the world.

Tom Brown, Jacobs CSF Framework Director and Chair of the Framework Directors’ Net Zero Group, said:

It is clear just how passionate and committed the Environment Agency’s supplier partners are to delivering our work more sustainably, understanding the hugely significant part we play in helping the Environment Agency achieve its net zero ambitions together.

Meeting this challenge will take many forms, including innovative low-carbon solutions, new ways of thinking and delivering to use less carbon in all that we do whilst delivering resilient flood risk management.

An offsetting strategy is also in development to address all remaining emissions. The strategy, due out by April 2022, will outline how the EA will work with key partners on projects to lock away carbon while bringing added benefits to people and nature, such as reduced flood risk and improved habitats.

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[Clive]

@Sid Low carbon concrete ? Concrete for environmental gain ? I know this is a subject close to your heart

 

[Sid]

@Sid Low carbon concrete ? Concrete for environmental gain ? I know this is a subject close to your heart

It is

 

[Sid]

Building's hard problem - making concrete green

Concrete accounts for 8% of carbon dioxide emissions, but some firms are hoping to cut that down.

www.bbc.co.uk

More here @Clive

"Today we use more concrete than any substance, other than water"
Scary!