Stepnell guest blog: How sustainability can be incorporated into construction projects

Stepnell is one of our key partners on our SCAPE Regional Construction Framework. Their senior pre-construction manager and SCAPE framework manager, Christian White recently provided insight on the role of early contractor engagement to meet sustainability targets.

From our complete contractor position, we prioritise sustainability early on and have a proven track record of successfully meeting stringent sustainability targets on projects. One example of this is ‘Stepnell Park’. Started in 2019, the business park has resulted in Circa 70,000Kg Co2 PA. These types of carbon savings have also been replicated for our clients in the public sector and we take this expertise and apply it to the SCAPE Regional Construction framework as well.

The key to success

Our success can be attributed to our expert knowledge and supply chain certainty when it comes to all aspects of sustainable project design, build, management and delivery. With a dedicated team – including new energy lead Simon Briggs, and sustainability manager Sheona Macmillan – we are well placed to deliver against the Regional Construction framework criteria.

Our knowledge is backed by direct purchasing agreements with renewable suppliers and qualified in-house installation teams. We have also introduced ‘Step Energy’, which serves to ensure that the right low-carbon energy technologies are being offered to best suit a client’s project needs.

Other successful initiatives from Stepnell include the development of 'Step to Zero', a process which focuses on drawing out sustainability opportunities within a project at the earliest possible stage, maximising potential for our clients.

By continually investing in sustainable solutions, every public sector project procured through the Regional Construction framework and delivered by us will stand to benefit from the energy saving strategies and carbon reduction tactics we have become known for.