Wates construction commits to zero carbon and waste by 2025
The Wates Group, one of the UK’s leading privately-owned construction, development and property services companies, has today committed to eliminating waste and carbon from its operations by 2025.
David Allen, Wates chief executive, says: “We have established bold, ambitious, deliberately stretching targets for creating zero harm to the environment by 2025 because we believe that by committing to something extraordinary, we can achieve something extraordinary. Together with our partners, we will reduce waste and carbon, and improve our natural environment for generations to come.”
John Dunne, Wates group health, safety and environment and quality director also points out that according to the Construction Climate Challenge report, the construction sector is responsible for up to 50% of climate change, 40% of energy usage and 50% of landfill waste.
The company has three key objectives. It is aiming to reduce and then eliminate all waste created from on-site operations. Secondly it will reduce carbon emissions from Scope 1 and 2 operations and to become carbon neutral. And as a third step, Wates aims to enhance the natural environment wherever it operates and to increase the value and community benefit of natural environments.
In 2020, the focus will be on raising awareness, education and engagement, as well as using data collection to set accurate benchmarks. A key part of achieving zero harm to the environment will also be working collaboratively with customers, supply chain and joint venture partners, to find better and more innovative ways to reduce waste and energy consumption and to enhance the natural environment.
Allen adds: “Our industry has made and continues to make an unhelpful contribution to the global climate crisis. We have a responsibility to reduce and eventually to reverse the impact we’re having on our planet and are determined that everyone in the Wates Group will do what is necessary to make a real and lasting difference.”
