Construct Zero Business Champion

Advancing towards Net Zero is important to my consultancy because it aligns with my long-term objectives for the future model. After undertaking a MBA at Cranfield University in 2020 and it featuring several modules on sustainable topics such as Leading a Sustainable Business, this sparked my interest in learning more. So in 2023 I embarked on a MSC in Sustainability. This Level 7 Masters will allow me to support my consultancy in its direction to more activities in the field of Sustainability to the Construction and Material Supplies industry. With over 25 years of experience in this industry I believe this is now the greatest challenge and opportunity that it faces to develop and change the way materials are used, manufactured and supplied. Under-pinning my progression in the theory of Sustainability is my knowledge of digital solutions and marketing.

These skills are enabling me to introduce solutions that offer sustainable objectives to operations, supply chain and other business activities that will reduce carbon emissions and make the progress to Net Zero easier. With the increased requirements for the Construction and Material Supplies industry to meet Net Zero I am hoping to support firms with the transition and so develop a strong business model, creating a larger consultancy supporting more clients.

The BMF has over 900 members, supporting 206,000 people and a combined turnover of £45.5 billion. The vast majority of these being SME’s, who have limited resources to employ a Sustainability person. Recognising the need for accessible sustainability expertise, we’re developing a suite of tools tailored to SMEs through Grow Forward, offering invaluable resources and expert guidance at an affordable scale. Through these initiatives, we’re dedicated to catalysing industry transformation toward a more sustainable future.

The priorities that are most relevant to my business and clients are those that are applicable to the operational activities. These activities being core to my clients emissions, Scope 1 and 2 which will be required to be measured and Net Zero in value in order to support the forthcoming challenge.

Transport is a huge emitter for many SME’s with small and large fleets, which accounts for 30% of emissions in the UK (BEIS, 2021). Improving the logistics and reducing inefficient practices as well as electrifying the fleet will be a key operational process for an SME and I am partnering with a technology solution to map and measure the best possible use of fleets large and small. This technology also allows for understanding which routes and vehicles can be completed using an BEV’s (Battery Electric Vehicles) so making the business case to make the capital purchase into an electric vehicle. My role is to introduce the technology and make the business case to use the platform and setting the Action Plan for reducing emissions across the business.

These actions would support Priorities 1, 2 and 3 but very are much aligned to the Material Supplies businesses that I support. This collaboration is currently live and available.

I have also joined the South London Retrofit Group to try and support the 635,000 properties that require decarbonising over the next 10 years. I am hoping to create collaborations for my clients that allow them to support skill developments for the massive provisions that will be required. This also supports my BMF Ambassador involvement to support local schools and Careers Fairs introducing the Building Supplies and Construction Industry. Demonstrating to the school leavers that there is a wide range of jobs and careers available throughout the industry, creating more diversity and inclusion, supporting Priority 4.

I am currently developing a package of equipment to support Priority 5 which will allow for a more suitable replacement for Combination boilers which are fitted in 80% of the c.23 million houses within the UK. Using my previous knowledge gained with the Heating, Hot Water and Plumbing sector my aim is to develop an affordable package of materials for urban environments that do not require fossil fuels, low carbon heat solutions and is less intrusive that current Heat Pump installations and far more effective for the vast number of fuel poor within the UK (NEA, 2024). This is a longer-term project and will require testing, certification and an adoption by suppliers and installers, as well as consumers.

With the focus of my activities on sustainable solutions this has allowed my clients to understand that I am looking to reduce costs, increase efficiencies but the impact of this is that they will reduce emissions. Optimising routes and removing waste not only benefits the business but contributes to Net Zero targets. Examining key challenges or problems allows me to apply sustainable solutions to pain-points within their business. This is often supported by technology and the implementation of it but with my knowledge of ISO 14001 and auditing (Green Leaves III, 2011) gained through my MSC in Sustainability I can offer a continued development plan using the DPSIR framework.

This approach of measuring and auditing is key to understanding where a businesses now and what it needs to do to change in the future. This is probably the biggest challenge for me and my business is starting those conversations.The business leaders in SME’s are hugely challenged with many other issues and see the Net Zero challenge as something bigger companies will have to tackle. These firms may find themselves more exposed to the forthcoming pressures but they are the best at change and innovation to survive. Resources are limited which would support more technology involvement but legacy systems hold many SME’s back and require large investments to become more technological.

I am working with partners to overcome this issue by introducing simple, less onerous solutions that are not cost prohibitive, choosing smaller change developments, more cost effective with faster return on investment opportunities.

Unfortunately the one innovation or change that will have the biggest impact on carbon emissions and Net Zero is not as simple or low cost. The decarbonising of heat and transport would see a dramatic reduction in emissions but the solution is many years away. Hydrogen as a fuel in vehicles and heating would allow for a huge reduction in emissions but production and infrastructure would have to heavily invested over the next few years. The sources of Hydrogen would need to be green and part of a better renewable grid infrastructure with less loss across transmission. Retrofit poses one of the best solutions to reducing inefficiency at the use point of energy. This also addresses fuel poverty within the UK, decreases carbon emissions and stimulates the Building and Materials Industry, promoting jobs and skills.

Thank you
Matthew Pierce
Managing Director
www.grow-forward.co.uk