Following an assessment of more than four hundred client projects from 2020 and 2024 the business is midway through the journey to ‘halve the carbon’ and remains well positioned to deliver on its commitment, says decarbonisation programme director Robert Lyall.
Since pledging action in November 2021, a methodology for completing project lifecycle carbon assessments has been developed, and baselining of projects from 2020 has been completed. More than one hundred client-facing employees have also been upskilled.
2024 has provided a year of measurement and reporting for comparison with the 2020 baseline.
Robert says getting to this point has been a real team effort involving clients, industry partners, materials suppliers, and many WSP employees.
“It’s been amazing to see numerous parts come together and so many talented and motivated people help take action on our carbon commitment.
“As a multi-disciplinary consultancy, it’s a privilege to witness the opportunities and empowerment the commitment brings.
“There’s a road to travel yet, however, and success will continue to be achieved by working with our clients and industry partners across the value chain.
Looking ahead, Robert says the 2020/2024 measurement process will be repeated across projects in 2025 and 2026. There will be a focus on enhancing technical guidance, encouraging low carbon practices and materials that meet performance standards and leveraging new knowledge to positively influence projects at the earliest opportunities.
“Ultimately, we aim to have lower carbon design practices normalised into business as usual, much like Health & Safety and Safety by Design.”
More information about WSP’s commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of its infrastructure designs and advice by 2030 can be found here.
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