Net Zero - Read Construction

Net Zero

Summary:

As a socially responsible organisation, Read are actively working on reducing our carbon emissions, both from the management of our services and through the projects that we deliver. For over a decade, we have been working with the Carbon Trust to understand our impacts and take meaningful steps in reducing them. In October 2020, we formalised our commitment to sustainable development with a pledge to become a Net Zero business by 2030.

Read are industry leaders in the Net Zero journey. In accordance with UK Government Procurement Policy Note 06/21 and the recommendations of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, we have:

Established our Carbon Footprint baseline
Identified carbon reduction priorities
Developed carbon reduction action plan
Begun implementation of carbon reduction measures
Made our plan publicly available here: Carbon Reduction Plan

Our carbon reduction journey extends beyond our direct business impacts and into the actual projects that we design and deliver. At project level, when engaged early in the design process, we deliver in accordance with Government’s carbon mandate to:

Deliver operational Net Zero (EPC A+)
Reduce embodied carbon impacts, currently delivering projects in line with the 2022-24 target of <800kg/m2

Our latest design and build new primary school, where Read were appointed at RIBA stage 1, embraces all of these challenges. By collaboratively deploying whole life carbon assessment tools and modern digital design processes during the design stage, the £13m project is on track to achieve Net Zero Operational Carbon EPC A+ and embodied carbon of just 642kg/m2 – well below the mandated 800kg level set until 2025!

Outcomes

In 2023, our Meole Brace Vanguard design and build project was awarded the first ever National Constructing Excellence award for Net Zero, demonstrating unrivalled achievements in the integration of low energy solutions and maximum thermal performance. This project achieved operational Net Zero Carbon with EPC A+ and Passivhaus Classic accreditation with an airtightness of 0.58.

Our low carbon solutions are deployed to all projects to assist clients decarbonize their estates. Refit and refurbishment projects present challenges in extending the operational life of assets whose embodied carbon impacts have already occurred. Our 5 story office refurbishment of Crown Buildings was a Net Zero finalist for both Constructing Excellence Wales and Building Awards in 2022.