CPA Bulletin

www.cpa.uk.net CPA Bulletin > November 2021 9 ASSOCIATIONNEWS: 2 had aroused a “phenomenal response” from all stakeholders, focusing attention on developing solutions as diverse as hydrogen powered excavators to ‘living’ walls in buildings. CBI’s Tom Thackray said that sustainability involved all businesses and every part of the supply chain. Organisations seeking data on which to base plans for reducing Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions (relating respectively to an organisation’s direct and indirect embedded emissions in their own operations, and those of their supply chain) would start a snowball rolling, encouraging others to act, too. Dr Carl Desouza stressed the importance of obtaining reliable, real-world data to give a baseline for comparisons, rather than relying solely on laboratory or test cell results. His doctoral research involved assessing emissions from diesel machinery on construction sites which could show the improvements made if using electric or hydrogen powered alternatives. Results could also be fed back to manufacturers for continuous development. Policy impacts deriving from his work are being implemented by the GLA and Defra. David Emery from the Supply Chain Sustainability School suggested that many hire firms had historically been reluctant to share ideas or to take risks and too often focused on achieving the lowest hire rate. However, he believed such attitudes were changing as more realised the need for improvements to achieve net zero. Newmethods could be adopted for more efficient working, giving faster results with less remedial work and improved use of materials, water and other resources. He said the Sustainability School was helping stakeholders to upskill their own workforces and others in the supply chain. Paul Mabey of JCB believed that people should be positive. Many solutions are available already, such as electric machinery, and hirers are now winning contracts because of a commitment to sustainable ways of working. “However, it is not a standard plant sell,” he said. “Hirers may find themselves talking to representatives from ESG (environment, social and corporate governance) and Health & Safety departments who focus on different areas than traditional construction issues.” Indeed, Fergus Harradence said that procurement policies had to change from focusing purely on price and shift towards quality, performance and environmental benefits, requiring a new emphasis. Three panellists took part in the discussion on ‘How to Net Zero Your Business’, namely Chris Matthew , Strategy Manager with P Flannery Plant Hire; Merrill Lynch , Director at L Lynch Plant Hire; and Steve Bradby , Engineering Leader with Select Plant Hire, part of Laing O’Rourke. Steve Bradby said that organisations must be proactive. Having once seen an electric piling rig on Liebherr’s stand at Bauma, Select had asked if the manufacturer might develop a similarly powered 250-tonne crawler, which was duly made after further discussions. So suppliers’ customers could drive (no pun intended!) new opportunities. A long-term view was also required. Select regards HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) diesel replacement fuel as a stop-gap measure, believing that over-reliance on it over the long term could lead to further deforestation to grow the vegetation that it is derived from. Chris Matthew also highlighted the important role that hirers can play. “We are neither manufacturers nor inventors but we can enable customers to use equipment more effectively. For us to achieve net zero, our customers also have to want to do so, and that has to be part of the overall strategy.” Similarly, Merrill Lynch described how a highways contractor client had wanted to reduce fuel usage on site and improve sustainability. The first approach was to look at user habits. Many operators were found to keep machines idling unnecessarily - to look