green shoots of growth start to flourish as part of sustainability efforts

The leading building materials supplier launched its sustainability strategy in 2022 with the aim of accelerating its transition to net zero and embedding sustainability into its operations.

Each year the company publishes an annual report to highlight its progress against measurable targets across five key pillars: climate; people and communities; nature and environment; circular economy; and sustainable solutions.

The 2023 report highlights significant progress in all areas.

Climate - absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions dropped by a further 57,000 tonnes against 2022 performance, which is a 7% reduction and the lowest ever emissions per tonne. A new net-zero strategy was launched to set out the road to achieving zero emissions across the business before 2050. Work was started on solar power generation across its estate, further electric vehicles went into operation and low carbon fuels including HVO were introduced.

There was also the unveiling of the Peak Cluster partnership, a major initiative which will see emissions from cement and lime plants in Derbyshire and Staffordshire, including the Cauldon Cement Plant, captured, piped and stored permanently cutting emissions by a quarter from the region.

Nature and environment - We enhanced the ability to support a nature positive future by increasing understanding of what it will take to restore biodiversity at AIUK sites, introduced new measures to reduce water consumption and work was started to develop a Nature Strategy for a 2024 launch.

Circular economy - The amount of Construction Demolition Materials reclaimed or recycled reached 1.5 million tonnes with capacity to further increase this amount strengthened with the acquisition of London-based Sivyer.

People and communities - The number of time the AIUK workforce spent volunteering in local communities rose significantly to 1,799 hours, the number of apprentices and female leaders in the business also increased, while there was a reduction in Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate.

Sustainable products - New products continued to be launched and further enhanced the commitment to supporting customers on their own journey to a more sustainable construction industry. Products included ECOPlanet cement. Your Carbon Report continues to be developed for customers, with 236 calculations provided over the year.

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Anna Baker, Sustainability Director at Aggregate Industries UK, said: “I welcome the latest report and the opportunity to take stock of the significant progress we have made since we launched our initial strategy.

“Hitting our carbon intensity targets by returning our lowest ever levels is something to celebrate alongside some great work across the business on climate and nature. We continue to make great strides in developing our transition to be more circular and the advent of Peak Cluster was a major milestone.

“What I am particularly proud to see is the positive impact we have had in our local communities  with the increase in volunteering and social value activity across the business, especially in terms of the legacy potential.

“And we continue to innovate and develop sustainable products and solutions which help our customers deliver their own sustainability goals. However, we know there is still much more to do  and so we must continue to push on, to innovate and strive towards our net zero goals.”

To read the full report visit our Sustainability pages here.