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Carbon Reduction Plan

Buxton Building Contractors has been actively reducing its carbon footprint and enhancing sustainability for over two decades. Our journey began in 2003 with the construction of Riverhead, a sustainable infant school, and continued with projects like Shornewood in 2007, incorporating locally sourced chestnut, solar heating, and a bio-digester. Achieving ISO 14001 in 2008 marked a significant milestone, setting the foundation for continuous improvement. Rye Oak, completed in 2010, reduced emissions by 509 tonnes and achieved a BREEAM 'Very Good' rating. In 2015, the Mildmay Centre became the UK's first non-domestic retrofit to meet full Passive House standards, showcasing our commitment to low-energy buildings.


We have since adopted a range of eco-friendly initiatives, from hybrid company cars in 2016 to using recycled materials through a business eBay account in 2022. Our use of modern methods of construction (MMC) continues to support projects like Northgate Square, reducing waste and operational emissions. We now monitor our carbon emissions, mileage, and energy consumption, integrating PV panels and ground-source heat pumps (GSHP) in many designs.


As of 2023, our internal Sustainability Working Group drives key initiatives such as promoting electric vehicle use, increasing EV charging points, and reducing plastic waste. Moreover, our staff are encouraged to calculate and lower their carbon footprints, aligning with our long-term goal of reaching net zero by 2050. We continue to work closely with our supply chain to improve their green credentials and aim to increase the energy efficiency of our site accommodation fleet.


This carbon reduction plan is the next step on our path, reflecting years of environmental stewardship and aligning with our core objective: reducing emissions across all areas of our operations, from construction projects to internal processes, as we strive for a sustainable future.
Whether we are thinking of how to travel to work, what cup to drink from, where we hold a meeting and the vast range of choices we make in our daily life, having sustainability underpinning every choice we make and every action we take must be integral to us delivering our vision, mission and strategic goals.


We also recognise that many of the measures we plan to take to cut our carbon footprint will also help the us operate more efficiently, cut costs and go some way to protecting us from the inevitable future increases to fuel and energy costs.

Baseline and Current Emissions Footprint


Baseline emissions are a record of the greenhouse gases that have been produced in the past and were produced prior to the introduction of any strategies to reduce emissions.
Baseline emissions are the reference point against which emissions reduction can be measured.


Baseline Year: August 2021 to July 2022

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  • Scope 1: 76 tCo2e

  • Scope 2: 32 tCo2e

  • Scope 3: 233 tCo2e (Our scope 3 emissions included mileage travelled by cars owned or controlled outside of Buxton, rail and taxi travel. We have also included factors for the transmission and distribution of electricity (T&D) losses, which occur between the power station and site(s). 

  • Total: 341 tCo2e 


Current Emissions Reporting


Reporting Year: August 2023 to July 2024

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  • Scope 1: 77 tCo2e

  • Scope 2: 20.41 tCo2e

  • Scope 3: 204 tCo2e (Our scope 3 emissions included mileage travelled by cars owned or controlled outside of Buxton, rail and taxi travel. We have also included factors for the transmission and distribution of electricity (T&D) losses, which occur between the power station and site(s). Site waste data will be captured and included under scope 3 emissions for the next reporting period.  

  • Total: 301 tCo2e 

 

Carbon Reduction Targets


We have been targeting our scope 1 and 2 emissions by ensuring that our office and controlled resources are as energy efficient and environmentally friendly as possible.  We have also introduced an electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme for employees as well as our Cycle to Work Scheme.


The graph below sets out our year-on-year targets for Buxton’s footpath to Net Zero

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Carbon Reduction Plans


Our footpath to net zero emissions going forward will include the implementation of further measures such as:

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  • Partner with energy providers offering zero-carbon tariffs to cut down on emissions associated with energy use

  • Promote the use of video conferencing tools to minimise unnecessary travel

  • Transition our company fleet to electric vehicles

  • Advocate for and utilise construction techniques that reduce waste and increase efficiency

  • Implement stringent waste management strategies to achieve zero avoidable waste in all operations

  • Pilot the sustainable cabins on select project sites before full implementation

  • Designate a sustainability lead to ensure sites, clients and subcontractors are brought on the journey to net zero in an informed and collaborative manner

  • Embrace new technologies by identifying and discussing in sustainability committee, and management meetings

  • Facilitate regular training and updates for staff on sustainability practices

 

Buxton are committed to regularly review and assess the progress of each initiative to ensure alignment with our sustainability targets.

 

Declaration


Emissions have been reported and recorded in accordance with the published reporting standard for Carbon Reduction Plans and the GHG Reporting Protocol corporate standard and uses the appropriate Government emission conversion factors for greenhouse gas company reporting.


Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions have been reported in accordance with SECR requirements, and the required subset of Scope 3 emissions have been reported in accordance with the published reporting standard for Carbon Reduction Plans and the Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Standard.

 

​This Carbon Reduction Plan has been approved by the board of directors

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