Constructing a smart approach to energy

The construction industry was invited to attend two days of seminars in London last month, where our colleagues from World Kinect Energy Services, shared their expertise.

With the construction industry being one of the highest producers of carbon emissions - emitting over 40% of the UK’s total, of which emissions from domestic builds account for 27% and non-domestic, 18% - the sector is under scrutiny to become more environmentally-friendly in the wake of the 2050 net zero targets.

Construction industry delegates in attendance left the seminars with invaluable advice on why they should act now to hit these targets, along with ideas on how to make their business more sustainable.

World Kinect Energy Services’ Senior Portfolio Manager, Andreas Jenson, focused on Construction Industry Risk Management in his presentation. With over 15 years’ experience in the energy sector, he acknowledged that with narrower profit margins and tighter regulations, construction businesses are under increased pressure to maintain eco-friendly sites and builds.

Engineering Manager, Adam Piggott, advised on Energy Efficiency and Net Zero, emphasising that companies need to plan ahead and act now to maximise sustainability and be rewarded with significant financial savings in the longer term.

Adam has over 19 years’ experience in the energy sector and heads up the UK sustainability team at World Kinect Energy Services. His background in delivering physical energy, cost and carbon reductions to customers, make him well-placed to explain how to deliver measured energy savings to those working in the construction sector.

Anette Gussiås, Director of Sustainability EMEA for World Kinect Energy Services, echoed Adam’s advice and shared her insights into how smart construction is the answer to a more sustainable industry. She explained that with the UK’s commitment to achieve net zero carbon by 2050, the construction industry is having to evolve as it rapidly edges towards global decarbonisation.

She also advised construction delegates that for short term fixes, analysing current and historical energy usage can identify where consumption can be reduced immediately. Anette’s remit at World Kinect Energy Services is managing a team of sustainability experts across the EMEA region, covering renewable energy, carbon reporting and carbon management.

Sharing his expertise on the Decarbonisation of Fuel, Julian Keites highlighted that the sector needs to analyse its current performance in heating and lighting buildings, sourcing responsible materials, electrifying transportation and reducing waste and energy - which will help companies to adopt new processes and technologies.

With over 30 years’ financial and physical energy experience across World Fuel Services’ marine, aviation and land fuel risk management businesses, Julian added that new-builds are transforming the sector, with the introduction of the UK government’s £420m framework in 2018 to halve the energy consumption of new buildings by 2030.

With traditional fuels gradually being replaced by new renewable energy sources and technologies in a bid to combat climate change, the sector is having to think smarter about how it can reduce its impact. This is proving to be challenging, but the informative seminars and advice from the experts helped delegates to understand that by acting fast and starting to put plans in place, they’re sure to reap the rewards in the long term.

If you'd like to speak to a member of the team about any of the topics covered in this seminar, please contact us.

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