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Sustainability Willmott Dixon’s new 2030 sustainable development strategy, ‘Now or Never; our decisive decade’ has been hailed for setting the most ambitious targets in the construction sector. INSIDE ‘NOWOR NEVER’ WILLMOTT DIXON’S AMBITIOUS NEW SUSTAINABLE STRATEGY 24 www.thefis.org T HE UK contractor and FIS member has set itself the target that by 2030, all new build and refurbishment projects it delivers will be net zero carbon in operation and that it will be zero-carbon without offsetting in its own operations. Furthermore, its ambition is that by 2040 its supply chain partners will be net zero carbon in operation and that projects will be delivered with net zero embodied carbon. To develop its industry-leading strategy, Willmott Dixon spent two years researching, listening to its communities, customers and competitors to ensure its ambitions were aligned with what the world needs. As a result, Now or Never is split into three themes: • Brilliant Buildings; • Building Lives; and • Better Planet. These reflect the company’s purpose to deliver brilliant buildings, transform lives, strengthen communities and enhance the environment so our world is fit for future generations. Julia Barrett, Chief Sustainability Officer at Willmott Dixon, explains: “Our industry has a moral duty to go further in shaping a fairer society that is prepared for the challenges ahead. We must create brilliant buildings as standard that are ready for our changing climate, that are net zero carbon in operation and that enable people, business and communities to thrive.” Harris Academy Sutton – largest Passivhaus school, The Brilliant Buildings theme focuses on delivering buildings which are resilient to our changing climate, minimise carbon emissions and improve people’s health and wellbeing. The contractor’s ambition for all new buildings and major refurbishments to achieve net zero carbon in operation by 2030 will see them maximise renewable energy generation and use their award- winning EnergySynergy™ approach to ensure their buildings are highly energy efficient and perform as designed when occupied. Low carbon buildings will play a vital part in supporting the UK’s net zero by 2050 target. In fact, the company has just secured its first net zero project for a Special School for Wiltshire Council and in 2019, it completed the largest Passivhaus school, Harris Academy Sutton, which has set the sector standard for exceptionally low energy use and superb user comfort. Supply chain Willmott Dixon’s aim to deliver low-carbon buildings also impacts its supply chain. When considering total carbon emissions associated with its projects, Willmott Dixon’s impact represents less than 1% – the remaining 99% comes from its supply chain. The contractor will work closely with its supply chain partners, supporting them to become net zero in operation by 2040. Given the size of this challenge, their focus to 2030 will be on their Category A+ and Category A partners, who represent over 75% of their supply chain spend. The contractor is also aiming that by end 2040, all new buildings and major refurbishments will be delivered with net Willmott Dixon completed the largest Passivhaus school, Harris Academy Sutton, in 2019