Driving to Net Zero: How LPL Construction Is Building a Greener Future

As we mark Net Zero Week, LPL Construction Services is proud to spotlight the meaningful progress we’ve made in our carbon reduction journey. Sustainability is not just a department, initiative, or box to tick, it’s a guiding principle that underpins every decision we make.

In the face of climate change, every industry has a responsibility to act. For the construction sector, one of the largest contributors to global carbon emissions, this responsibility is especially urgent. At LPL, we recognise that meeting this challenge requires more than ambition; it demands action, innovation, and transparency at every level of our business.

From Boardroom to Building Site: Embedding Sustainability in Our DNA

Our drive to achieve Net Zero by 2050 or sooner is built into the very fabric of how we operate. From the senior leadership team shaping our long-term vision, to site teams making decisions every day that reduce waste, emissions, and energy use, our commitment is holistic and deeply embedded.

It’s a journey that’s taken years of planning and engagement, supported by measurable data and verified targets. But most importantly, it’s one that continues to evolve. We recognise that sustainability isn’t static. It grows with us, and our success depends on every part of our team playing a role.

Whether it’s using recycled materials on-site, designing smarter logistics plans, or holding ourselves accountable through rigorous audits and industry accreditations, LPL believes sustainability must be both cultural and operational.

Science-Backed, Data-Driven: Validating Our Path to Net Zero

In 2024, LPL achieved two major sustainability milestones that speak volumes about the integrity and credibility of our strategy:

Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) Validation

We are now among a growing number of forward-thinking organisations whose carbon reduction targets have been independently validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). This means our short- and long-term goals align with international climate science and the Paris Agreement.

Our commitment:

• Reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 60% by 2030
  
• Measure and actively reduce Scope 3 emissions across our supply chain 

The validation process took over six months and involved detailed reviews of our Carbon Management Plan, emissions data, and future targets. We are proud to have passed this process, and even prouder to be leading the way for responsible construction.

EcoVadis Year 2: 94th Percentile Globally

Our 2024 EcoVadis sustainability audit placed us in the 94th percentile worldwide, showing significant improvements across all four evaluation categories:

• Environment
  
• Labour & Human Rights
  
• Ethics
  
• Sustainable Procurement 

Compared to over 1,000 companies globally, this ranking proves that our sustainability practices not only stand up to scrutiny, they set a benchmark for excellence in our sector.

A Plan with Purpose: Our Carbon Management Strategy

At the core of our journey is our detailed Carbon Management Plan, now in its second year. The plan lays out our approach to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across all scopes, while also outlining how we will drive efficiency, innovation, and accountability.

Here’s a look at how we’re tackling each category:

Scope 1 – Direct Emissions

These are emissions from vehicles, generators, and fuel combustion directly under our control.

Short-term goal: 27% reduction by 2030 (down to 200 tCO2e)
Long-term goal: Zero Scope 1 emissions by 2050

How we’re doing it:

• Gradual fleet upgrades to electric and hybrid vehicles
  
• Use of HVO+ fuel as a sustainable diesel alternative
  
• Car-sharing and smarter route planning for reduced mileage
  
• Awareness training to reduce on-site and in-transit emissions 

Scope 2 – Indirect Energy Emissions

These emissions come from purchased electricity and heating.

Short-term goal: 60% reduction by 2030
Long-term goal: Net Zero by 2035

Actions include:

• Transitioning to 100% renewable electricity contracts by 2027
  
• Integrating digital monitoring tools to track energy use in real-time
  
• Aligning with the UK Government’s 2035 target for zero-carbon electricity generation 

Scope 3 – Value Chain Emissions

These are emissions we don’t directly produce, but that occur across our supply chain, from materials to commuting to subcontractor activity.

Short-term goal: Reduce Scope 3 emissions by 45% by 2030
Long-term goal: Net Zero by 2050

Strategies include:

• Sourcing low-carbon materials (e.g. concrete, steel, recycled aggregates)
  
• Partnering with environmentally responsible suppliers via Alcumus SafeContractor
  
• Developing a centralised embodied carbon database to inform procurement
  
• Enhancing waste reduction and circular construction strategies
  
• Promoting sustainable travel options for employees 

Innovation on Site: Sustainability in Action

Our commitment to Net Zero is visible not just in reports and targets, but on our active sites every day. Some of our recent innovations include:

• Solar-powered welfare units that reduce fossil fuel use by over 35%, cut emissions, and enhance wellbeing
  
• Smart site layouts designed to eliminate reversing, reduce noise, and avoid pedestrian conflicts
  
• Heavy use of recycled aggregates, timber hoardings, and low-impact materials to reduce embodied carbon
  
• Integrated circular construction methods, allowing us to repurpose existing infrastructure or reduce demand for new raw materials 

One standout result: a 15.9% drop in emissions between Year 2 and Year 3 directly linked to our expanded use of recycled aggregates.

Measurement & Transparency: How We Stay Accountable

We know that what gets measured gets managed. That’s why LPL has embedded performance tracking, auditing, and transparent reporting into our sustainability processes.

We track:

• Annual carbon output across all scopes (independently verified)
  
• Emissions per employee and per £ million turnover
  
• Waste volumes and recycling performance (with 89% recycled in 2024)
  
• Fuel and water consumption across all projects
  
• Sustainability training completion rates (18% of total training in 2024) 

Our supplier due diligence is just as rigorous. Using Alcumus SafeContractor, we ensure every partner meets safety, ethics, and environmental requirements. Already, 34% of our approved supply chain partners have achieved Sustainability Gold.

Empowering People Through Education

A culture of sustainability must be built from the inside out. At LPL, we’ve invested heavily in training to ensure that our workforce, both permanent staff and subcontractors, are aligned with our Net Zero goals.

By 2025, at least 25% of all completed training hours will focus on environmental awareness, carbon reduction, and green site practices. We also offer:

• Free access to IHASCO environmental modules
  
• Guidance through the Supply Chain Sustainability School
  
• Toolbox talks on low-emission behaviours, material selection, and recycling 

We don’t just want compliance, we want conscious culture.

What Comes Next?

We are not slowing down. Our 2025 focus includes:

• Launching a Scope 3 emissions tracking system for suppliers and subcontractors
  
• Redesigning internal audit procedures to better reflect ESG data
  
• Pursuing Gold-level status in EcoVadis and Supply Chain Sustainability School
  
• Scaling up solar-powered infrastructure, HVO fuel use, and digital site tracking 

We will also continue refining our reporting and engaging clients to support their sustainability goals, because this journey must be shared if it’s to succeed.

More Than a Goal its a Responsibility

Net Zero is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s a non-negotiable.

For LPL Construction Services, sustainability isn’t just an internal value, it’s a promise we make to our clients, our communities, and future generations.

As we reflect during Net Zero Week, we’re incredibly proud of our progress. But we’re even more excited about what lies ahead. From verified science-based targets to award-winning site practices, LPL is proving that medium-sized contractors can have a major impact.

Together, with innovation, transparency, and purpose, we’re building a future that is not just possible, but sustainable. You can read more about our Sustainability goals and Carbon Plan here