In delivering the HS2 Air Quality Strategy commitments to avoid and minimise impacts from construction on local Air Quality, HS2 has set strict emission requirements for both on- and off-road vehicles and plant. HS2 aims to raise the bar and leave a legacy for future projects by becoming industry leaders in decarbonising construction.
In their Net Zero Carbon Plan, published earlier this year, HS2 set ambitions to achieve net zero from 2035, which includes reducing carbon from concrete and steel, as well as eliminating diesel from construction. HS2 is determined to use the project’s scope and scale to cut the release of harmful emissions by stipulating contractors building Britain’s new high speed rail network use the cleanest technologies available.
In his keynote presentation at EMISSIONS & AIR QUALITY Smart Class, North 2022, Neil Wait – HS2’s Head of Environmental Sciences – touched on the significant commitments HS2 has made, highlighting the main challenges to date and providing an overview of collaboration with other major players within construction through the Construction Leadership Council’s ConstructZero and some of the pivotal innovations HS2 has deployed in overcoming these challenges.
The scope of Neil’s presentation included:
Why Britain needs H2S (more capacity, cutting carbon, better connectivity); HS2’s Environmental Sustainability Vision and Net Zero Carbon Plan for “A cleaner, greener future”; First diesel-free construction site (SCSJV Canterbury Road Vent Shaft site in South Kilburn); Supporting UK research and development as a decarbonisation enabler (innovating and collaborating across industry, academia and the supply chain); Zero Emission Alternatives, Low Emissions Alternatives and Efficiency Solutions; Case Studies (Alternative Fuel Trial, Clean AirGas Engine, Hydrogen dual-fuel vehicles, H2 Fuel Cell Technology, Fuel security for clean energy, Aquafuels Glycerine Generators, Punch Flybrid, EcoNet Power Management, NRMM Retrofit); Analysis of the Carbon Reduction Plan for Diesel; What’s next? (continuing to fulfil Code of Construction Practice commitments, driving policy and regulation change, working with partners to lead industry).
If you meet our regular delegate qualification criteria but were unable to join us at The Carriageworks Theatre, Leeds, for the live in-person event on June 17th, CLICK HERE and complete the short “Download form” (located at the bottom of the post) to receive a unique link enabling free access to the presentation video recordings and slides (including the film footage and slides from Neil’s keynote).
Those qualifying to receive the rich presentation content from this event include commissioning, procurement, trialling and partnering leads, senior influencers, strategic decision makers and planners from: local authorities (e.g. city, borough, metropolitan, district and county councils); public and private transport operators/service providers; sub-regional transport bodies, combined authorities, integrated transport authorities and passenger transport executives; road operators and highways authorities; freight and logistics operators; airports and port operators; vehicle manufacturers; energy providers; potential partners from industry (e.g. retail, construction, manufacturing and waste management sectors) and healthcare; DfT, Defra, EA, BEIS, DHSC and supporting national agencies; prime contractors etc.
