Net Zero Week: Travis Perkins Champions Sustainable Construction

Travis Perkins plc, the UK’s largest distributor of building materials, is at the forefront of the construction industry's shift towards a sustainable future. With Net Zero Week set to take place from 6^th to 12^th July 2024, Travis Perkins is committed to leading the change and setting a benchmark for decarbonisation in the construction sector.

Travis Perkins has made significant strides in reducing its carbon footprint and supporting the trade in adopting sustainable practices.

Key initiatives and achievements:

• Decarbonising the fleet: Travis Perkins is actively transitioning away from fossil fuels and embracing alternate solutions. In 2023, the Group utilised certified Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in 270 HGVs, saving 1.4 million litres of diesel and reducing carbon emissions by 3,500 tonnes. Additionally, diesel forklift trucks are being replaced with electric trucks to reduce plant fleet emissions.  
  
  
• Sustainable supply chain: The company assesses and collaborates with manufacturers to minimise carbon emissions in product manufacturing. By assessing whether products are sourced from ethically and sustainably managed suppliers, Travis Perkins can responsibly manage its supply chain.
  
  
• Supporting trade customers: Travis Perkins is dedicated to educating trade customers on energy-efficient and more-sustainable product options. This includes promoting renewable technologies, materials with lower embodied carbon and fabric solutions that conserve energy and heat.
  
  
• Packaging reduction: In 2023, the Group significantly reduced plastic packaging by eliminating air pillows and packing peanuts, replacing foam door corners with cardboard, and switching to a lighter grip film for shrink wrap, requiring less material
  
  
• Progress in 2023: With a science-based target to reduce Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 80% by 2035 from a 2020 baseline, Travis Perkins achieved a 33% reduction by the end of 2023. In support of the Group’s Scope 3 science-based target, by the end of 2023 57% of the Group’s spend was with suppliers who have calculated their carbon and set reduction targets. The Group’s primary focus was decarbonising the fleet, collecting product carbon data for customers, listing new product ranges for retrofit and training colleagues and enhancing their expertise in sustainability and carbon management.  All of this underpins the Group’s customer value proposition around sustainability, helping them to secure more business and meet their own sustainability commitments.

Speaking on 'Trade Talk', presented by Sally Wallace, Megan Adlen, Group Sustainability Director at Travis Perkins, shared insights into the company’s decarbonisation strategy and ongoing efforts to drive change within the industry:

"We are proud to be leading the way in decarbonising the construction industry. Our commitment to reducing carbon emissions extends beyond our operations to supporting our trade customers. By providing them with the products, data, knowledge and tools to make sustainable choices, we can collectively make a significant impact. Small changes, such as choosing energy-efficient products and adopting new construction methods, can lead to substantial benefits for both the environment and the economy.”

Megan continues, “The future of construction lies in a more connected and systematised approach, and we need to remain open to optimising efficiency and modernising the industry. By prioritising decarbonisation across the built environment, we will enhance energy efficiency and promote sustainable living environments, leading to improved health and comfort in our homes.”

For more information about Travis Perkins’ sustainability efforts, visit: https://www.travisperkinsplc.co.uk/sustainability/environment/operating-sustainably-carbon/

Source : Travis Perkins 

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