Kier Group has joined Causeway Technologies' ground-breaking project aimed at developing automated, real-time reporting of scope 3 emissions in the construction sector. 

The scope 3 initiative is well advanced in developing a software solution that can deliver a credible, verifiable, efficient and scalable way to measure scope 3 emissions in real-time, using invoice data automatically extracted from Causeway Tradex, the largest connected construction supply chain community in the UK. 

Other partners in the initiative include Aggregate Industries, Balfour Beatty, Galliford Try and Morgan Sindall Group.

In 2020, Kier Group launched its sustainability strategy, Building for a Sustainable World, including the target of achieving net zero scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon by 2045.

Data underpins this target, and Kier aims to facilitate the capture of carbon emissions data, improve its accuracy, and ensure industry consistency in supply chain data requests.

James Martin, Kier Group director for health, safety, wellbeing and sustainability, said: “Kier has a commitment to reach net zero carbon by 2045, supported by a series of interim reduction targets in 2030. 

“Data accuracy is key to our strategy. We have developed our methods of collecting carbon emissions data more effectively, working on making this process more automated which will improve data accuracy. 

“It is key that we and our peers across the industry collaborate on carbon data capture and share consistent data about our emissions. It is only by sharing and developing together that we will be able to make the meaningful difference. 

“Working on this initiative with Causeway and the other partners will bring us closer to all these goals.”

Adam O’Rourke, Causeway’s emerging technologies consultant, added: “At present, contractors are heavily reliant on using generic carbon reporting solutions for estimating scope 3 emissions. 

“These are useful estimating tools, but Causeway’s scope 3 initiative is different – it provides contractors, for the first time, with an accurate, consistent and automated reporting tool that reflects the actual materials and products used, not just what was planned. 

“More accurate reporting means better choices and lower risk for contractors.”

Causeway and its partners are currently engaging with more suppliers and contractors, as well as validating and testing elements of the software. 

The project is also being supported via a knowledge transfer partnership with the engineering department at the University of Bath.